Impact of volume fiber on distribution of thermal stress residual near fiber/epoxy interface using axisymmetric model

Thermal residual stresses are important in composite materials. The aim of this work is the computation of thermal residual stresses by finite element method and the effect of volume fraction on their distribution. In this work, two cases are considered by using an epoxy matrix with respectively glass and carbon fibers with a different volume fiber using an axisymmetric model. From the results of the numerical calculation, it is shown that the stresses are important and thus should be taken into account. The interface is affected by thermal stresses. The normal stresses and shear stress value have an influence on the behavior of the material. Hence, on the performance of composites during service, is an information of significance for the designers. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.