Composite materials are sensible to temperature variations which can lead to the development of internal stresses. The induced stresses may be large enough to damage the material. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of extreme temperature cycles on three cyanate ester laminates and one sandwich panel. Thermal cycles going from −170℃ to 145℃ were conducted up to 360 cycles. Microscopic observations of the edges and the middle section of the specimens were performed to evaluate damage growth. Three types of damage were observed in the laminates: transverse microcracks, debonding between the fibers and the matrix and to a limited extent delamination. However, debonding between the fibers and the matrix were only visible on the edges of the laminates. The effect of the observed damages on the mechanical properties of the laminates was studied. Results show that properties influenced by matrix behavior were affected by thermal cycling.
DeevISNikishinEF. Effect of long-term exposure in the space environment on the microstructure of fibre-reinforced polymers. Compos Sci Technol1997; 57: 1391–1401.
2.
StartsevOVNikishinEF. Aging of polymer composite materials exposed to the conditions in outer space A. Mech Comp Mater1993; 29: 338–346.
3.
GaoYHeSYangD. Effect of vacuum thermo-cycling on physical properties of unidirectional M40J/AG-80 composites. Compos Part B Eng2005; 36: 351–358.
4.
ParkSYChoiHSChoiWJ. Effect of vacuum thermal cyclic exposures on unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composites for low earth orbit space applications. Compos B Eng2012; 43: 726–738.
5.
ShinK-BKimC-GHongC-S. Prediction of failure thermal cycles in graphite/epoxy composite materials under simulated low earth orbit environments. Compos B Eng2000; 31: 223–235.
6.
HanJ-HKimC-G. Low earth orbit space environment simulation and its effects on graphite/epoxy composites. Compos Struct2006; 72: 218–226.
BechelVTFredinMBDonaldsonSL. Effect of stacking sequence on micro-cracking in a cryogenically cycled carbon/bismaleimide composite. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf2003; 34: 663–672.
13.
BechelVTNegilskiMJamesJ. Limiting the permeability of composites for cryogenic applications. Compos Sci Technol2006; 66: 2284–2295.
14.
TimmermanJFTillmanMSHayesBS. Matrix and fiber influences on the cryogenic microcracking of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf2002; 33: 323–329.
15.
Henaff-gardinCLafarie-FrenotMC. Specificity of matrix cracking development in CFRP laminates under mechanical or thermal loadings. Int J Fatigue2002; 24: 171–177.
16.
ParkHMcManusL. Thermally induced damage in composite laminates: predictive methodology and experimental investigation. Compos Sci Technol1996; 56: 1209–1219.
17.
Lafarie-FrenotMCHoNQ. Influence of free edge intralaminar stresses on damage process in CFRP laminates under thermal cycling conditions. Compos Sci Technol2006; 66: 1354–1365.
18.
Lafarie-FrenotMCRouquieS. Influence of oxidative environments on damage in c/epoxy laminates subjected to thermal cycling. Compos Sci Technol2004; 64: 1725–1735.
19.
Lafarie-FrenotMC. Damage mechanisms induced by cyclic ply-stresses in carbon–epoxy laminates: Environmental effects. Int J Fatigue2006; 28: 1202–1216.
20.
Lafarie-FrenotMCRouquiéSHoNQ. Comparison of damage development in C/epoxy laminates during isothermal ageing or thermal cycling. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf2006; 37: 662–671.
21.
KimRYCrastoASSchoeppnerGA. Dimensional stability of composite in a space thermal environment. Compos Sci Technol2000; 60: 2601–2608.
22.
JuJMorganRJ. Characterization of microcrack development in BMI-carbon fiber composite under stress and thermal cycling. J Compos Mater2004; 38: 2007–2024.
23.
ASTM Standard D3039:2008. Tensile Properties of polymer matrix composite materials. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
24.
ASTM Standard D5379:2005. Shear properties of composite materials by the V-notched beam method. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2005.
25.
ASTM Standard D2344:2000. Short beam strength of polymer matrix composite materials and their laminates. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2006.
