A new temperature-dependent modulus model of glass/epoxy composite at elevated temperatures

Temperature-dependent modulus of glass fiber/epoxy composite laminates was studied at temperatures ranging from room temperature up to 120℃. The storage modulus, loss modulus, loss factor, and glass transition temperature of two layer-up composite laminates were investigated by dynamic mechanic analysis. Static flexural modulus was also measured by control force mode in dynamic mechanic analysis. A new and simple temperature-dependent model both for the dynamic storage modulus and static flexural modulus was developed. This model depends only on one parameter which has specific physical meaning. The model prediction showed excellent agreement with our own experimental results over the full range of transition region. Furthermore, comparing our model’s prediction and other experimental data of many types of composites, which were studied by other researchers, we point to the fact that our model can be applied to many different polymer matrix composites.