Viscoelastic analysis of resudual stresses in a unidirectional lamiate

The residual stress distribution in a unidirectional graphite/epoxy laminate induced during the fabrication process is investigated at the microstress level within the scope of linear viscoelasticity. To estimate the residual stresses, the fabrication process is divided into polymerization phase and cool-down phase, and strength of materials approach is employed. Large residual stresses are not generated during polymerization phase because the relaxation modulus is relatively small due to the relaxation ability at this temperature level. The residual stresses increase remarkably during cool-down process. The magnitude of final residual stress is about 80% of the ultimate strength of the matrix material at room temperature. This suggests that the residual stress can have a significant effect on the performance of composite structure.