Strain rate and temperature effects on the mechanical properties of an E-glass/vinyl ester composite system

The need exists for a failure time schema to predict composite component li fetimes from quasi-static to dynamic strain rates. Models need to incorpora te temperature, loading rate, and the time to failure of the composite comp onents. An approach to describe the effects of strain rate and temperature on the mechanical properties of an E-glass/vinyl ester composite system is presented and verified with experimental data. A representation of the time to failure of the composite was constructed using the Monkmann-Grant equat ion, relating the applied steady state strain rate and the time to failure. Strain rates of 10(-6) to 1.6 s(-1) were achieved and experiments were con ducted at room temperature, 80 and 120 degreesC. It was found that the comp osite system exhibited nearly a constant strain to failure over the applied rates and temperatures. The test data verified an approach to a failure ti me estimation scheme for steady state strain rate utilizing the Monkmann-Gr ant approach.