Mean stress/strain effect on fatigue behavior of an epoxy resin

Abstract

Mean stress/strain effect on the fatigue life of an Epon 826/Epi-Cure Curing Agent 9551 epoxy system has been investigated by carrying out series uniaxial fatigue tests with four different mean strain ratios under strain-range-controlled mode. Quantitative analysis of the mechanical properties, such as mean stress relaxation, evolution of stress range and strain energy density, have been performed based on the stress–strain data recorded by a non-contact real-time strain measurement and control system. Mean stress/strain functions have been introduced into the equivalent damage parameters to include the mean stress/strain effect on the fatigue life of the epoxy polymer material. The procedure to characterize the mean stress/strain functions has been demonstrated and material constants were calibrated in the case of either stress, strain or energy approach, respectively. Good agreement can be seen between the predictions and the test data.