Shear-Lag Analysis of the Effect of Thickness on Spring-in of Curved Composites

MR Wisnom, KD Potter, N Ersoy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

100 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A new analytical solution is presented for spring-in of curved thermoset matrix composites taking into account the low shear stiffness of the material in the rubbery state before it is fully cured. It is shown that shear-lag through the thickness can have a significant effect in reducing spring-in arising from thermal stresses and chemical shrinkage between gelation and vitrification. Results are presented in a nondimensional form that shows the influences of subtended angle, through-thickness shrinkage, the ratio of curved arc length to part thickness, and the ratio of in-plane modulus to rubbery interlaminar shear modulus, providing greater physical insight into the spring-in mechanism. The analysis predicts a significant effect of thickness on spring-in angle. This is verified by experimental measurements on cross-ply carbon-epoxy C-sections cured on a carbon fiber tool, confirming the validity of the new solution.
Translated title of the contributionShear-Lag Analysis of the Effect of Thickness on Spring-in of Curved Composites
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1311 - 1324
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Composite Materials
Volume41 (11)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2007

Bibliographical note

Publisher: Sage Publications

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