Response of CFRP laminates under high strain rate compression until failure

This work describes an experimental characterization: the non-linear rate-dependent mechanical behavior of a composite material under compression. Fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites exhibit non-linear mechanical behavior, except in fiber direction, which is rate-dependent. In this work the Texipreg (R) HS160 REM material system was used, comprising high strength carbon fiber and epoxy resin. Unidirectional laminates were tested under uniaxial compression tests on a universal testing machine. The stress/strain curves of several specimens were obtained at three different strain rates of 0.07, 0.001 and 0.0001/s. In all cases tests were continued until failure was reached to measure the strain rate effect on strength. A 3-parameter constitutive viscoplastic model /6,7/ was used to describe the mechanical behavior. This model was developed based on data for strain rate between 0.0001 and 0.07/s. In transverse direction the viscoplastic model was able to predict the high strain rate experiments conducted on a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar.