Sharma, Sukrant (2016) Influence of elevated temperature on the inter-laminar shear and flexural properties of fibre composites. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This project investigated the effect of elevated temperature on the properties of fibre composites. The properties studied were the Inter-Laminar Shear Strength, Flexural Strength and Modulus of Elasticity. In addition to mechanical properties, the effect of fibre orientation and support span-to-depth ratio on these properties was also examined. The fibre composite material used was Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer composite. The specimens were tested at 9 different temperatures, from 22ºC to 200ºC, and 4 different support span-to-depth ratios. The failed specimens were then microscopically examined to study the failure modes of the fibre composites. Inter-laminar Shear Strength was found to decrease with increasing temperature for both orientations. This decrease was attributed to a decrease in matrix toughness, ductility and interfacial adhesion. Flexural Strength and Modulus of Elasticity was found to decrease with increasing temperatures for both orientations. A sharp decline in Flexural Strength and Modulus of Elasticity was observed as the temperature approached 116.5°C i.e. the Glass Transition temperature (Tg) of the resin. The steady decline is attributed to the decomposition of the matrix with increasing temperature. The sharp decline close to the Tg of the resin is attributed to the transition of the polymer from a glassy state to a soft, rubbery state. Longitudinal fibre orientation specimens were found to be mechanically superior than Transverse fibre orientation specimens. These fibre composites were found to exhibit shear behavior at lower a/d ratio and more flexural behavior with increasing a/d ratio. Finally, theoretical predictive equations were developed using the experimental results to predict the effect of temperature on the properties of fibre composites.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address. |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - No Department (1 Jul 2013 -) |
| Supervisors: | Manalo, Allan; Maranan, Ginghis |
| Qualification: | Master of Engineering Science (Mechanical Engineering) |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Jul 2026 05:23 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jul 2026 05:23 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | temperature, fibre composites, inter-laminar shear strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53262 |
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