THERMO-AGING EFFECT ON THE BUCKLING BEHAVIORS OF U-NOTCHED COMPOSITES

Abstract

In this study, thermo-aging effect on the U-notched composite plates were investigated experimentally. The temperature, time and notch geometry variations were analyzed. The eight layered woven glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix resin composite plates were subjected to different temperatures and different time intervals. During the thermo-aging process, the composite plates were subjected to 80, 120 and 160oC temperatures while time intervals were varied to 2, 4 and 6 hours. Considering the notches geometry, the variations at the depth of the notch were taken as 0, 5 and 10 mm. The critical buckling load results of thermo-aged composite plates were compared to the composite plates which were produced at the room temperature. The results of study showed that the critical buckling loads of composite plates were decreased 34.61%, 11.8%, 14.63 % with an increase at the notch depth, temperature and time, respectively.

Keywords

• Thermo-aging, composite plates, notch effect, buckling.