Residual stress measurement in composite materials

Abstract

The residual stresses in unsymmetrical fiber-reinforced laminated composites are investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Due to the effect of cooling from the cure temperature, certain plies in the unsymmetrical composite will contract more than their neighbors, therefore, inducing residual stresses in this cross-ply laminated plate. Residual stresses coupled with asymmetries in the laminate will produce warpage.