Thermal stress analysis of a fiber-epoxy composite material

Abstract

Paper presents stress calculation in the stationary temperature domain for a hybrid structure with standard epoxy-carbon fiber composite and metallic part, showing different thermal behavior. The thermal stress analysis is based on the finite element method. A sample problem involving such a composite plate and metallic part of structure or mould at two different temperature levels, corresponding to curing process (co-curing) and operating temperatures, respectively, is calculated and discussed. The specific properties of composite are emphasized particularly for thermal coefficients, especially if the shear coefficient is different than zero, causing completely different behavior compared to isotropic materials.