Study of damage induced by extreme thermal cycling in cyanate ester laminates and sandwich panels

• Published in: Journal of composite materials 2017-06, Vol.51 (14), p.2023-2034
• Main Authors: Jean-St-Laurent, Mathilde, Dano, Marie-Laure, Potvin, Marie-Josée
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-9983; 1530-793X
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998316666937

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.