Temperature dependence of elastic constants in unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced shape memory polymer composites

Abstract The work describes a model to predict the elastic constants of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) with different fiber volume fractions within the temperature range of 293 K to 393 K. The model is based on a theoretical description of the phase transition of the shape memory polymer (SMP). Two glassy phase volume fraction functions are developed, one based on the Eyring equation, the other based on the normal distribution equation. The longitudinal and transverse moduli, axial and transverse shear moduli, and axial Poisson's ratio are derived by using the glassy phase volume fraction function and modified rule of mixture. The axial Poisson's ratio increases with the temperature increase, while the other four constants decrease nonlinearly with rising temperatures. An inverse identification of the elastic constants at different temperature via numerical and experimental modal analysis from a flat SMPC laminate shows that the model proposed is adequate to describe the temperature dependence of the elastic constants of the laminate.