SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF RADIATION AND STRESS ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC AND COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

Creep tests of epoxy resin and epoxy-based fibre-reinforced plastics ( FRP) in bending during electron-beam irradiation have been carried out . The purpose of this work was to investigate the synergistic effects of radiation and stress on the creep behaviour of FRP at cryogenic tem peratures. These materials showed radiation-enhanced deformation when subjected to bending stress applied simultaneously. The creep rate inc reased with increasing stress and radiation-dose rate. This increase w as more severe in epoxy resin than in FRP. The synergistic effects are discussed mainly on the basis of temperature dependence.