Experimental study of strain-rate-dependent behavior of carbon/epoxy composite

The strain rate dependent behavior of IM7/977-2 carbon/epoxy matrix composite in tension is studied by testing the resin and various laminate configurations at different strain rates. Tensile tests have been conducted with a hydraulic machine at quasi-static strain rates of approximately 10(-5) s(-1) and intermediate strain rates of about 1 s(-1). Tensile high strain rate tests have been conducted with the tensile split Hopkinson bar technique at strain rates of approximately 400-600 s(-1). Specimens with identical geometry are used in all the tests. The standard split Hopkinson bar technique is modified to measure strain directly on the specimen. The results show that strain rate has a significant effect on the material response. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.