Damping studies in fiber-reinforced composites - a review

The status of research on damping in fiber-reinforced composite materials a nd structures with emphasis on polymer composites has been reviewed in this paper. As a first step, composite damping mechanisms and methodology appli cable to damping analysis is described. Further, the paper presents damping studies involving macromechanical, micromechanical and viscoelastic (relax ation and creep) approaches; models for interphase damping, damping and dam age in composites. Some important works related to improved damping models for thick laminates, improvement of laminate damping and optimization for d amping in fiber-reinforced composites/structures are critically reviewed. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.