Cross ply laminates of (02,902)s configuration having AS4 graphite fibers in three epoxy resins of different toughness: 3501-6, Tactix® 556 and Tactix® 695, have been tested to determine their transverse cracking behavior and the associated mechanical response under longitudinal tensile loading. The test data are analyzed using Talreja's con tinuum damage model [1-3]. The material constants needed in the model to predict the in- plane stiffness changes are determined. The measured Poisson's ratio, which shows signifi cant change, is compared with the prediction of the model. The constants for the three materials are found to increase with the increase in their fracture toughness.

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This study is a comparison of independently designed mold flow experiments performed at The Dow Chemical Company with simulations from a computer code developed at The Ohio State University. The experiments used in the validation study included isothermal 1‐dimensional flow with line gating and end venting, isothermal 2‐dimensional flow with converging flow and center venting, and two different resin systems. The simulation results were compared with experimental pressure and temperature readings and fill times. It was found that simulated fill times could be predicted within experimental error and pressure distributions could be predicted with the application of a scaling factor.

This study investigates the components of a constant injection rate resin transfer molding system and discusses critical issues of each component from an experimental view. Also included are temperature and pressure data of independently designed mold flow experiments performed at The Dow Chemical Company. The experiments in this study included isothermal one‐dimensional flow with line gating and end venting, isothermal two‐dimensional flow with converging flow and center venting, and two different resin systems. Accurate and precise permeability measurements of the fiber preform continue to be the core of the issue. Deformation, contour, or overlap of the fiber preform can cause minor variation in local permeability, which, when compared with the bulk permeability, can vary the injection pressures up to an order of magnitude. Further, local dimensional changes in the fiber preform (i.e., overlap, contour, or edge‐effect) can form a channel for racetracking of the resin during injection. The inability to accurately predict a priori the extent of racetracking reduces modeling efforts to a demonstration of the flow trend.

Films consisting of a rigid-rod polymer and thermoset resin matrixes were prepared. Poly{(benzo [1,2-d : 5,4-d]bis(oxazole-2,6-diyl))-1,4-phenylene} (PBO) in polyphosphoric acid (PPA) was blended with 2,6-bis(4-benzocyclobutene) benzo[1,2-d : 5,4-d]bis(oxazole) ( 1), and films were extruded from these solutions. The coagulated films were soluble in methanesulfonic acid (MSA). After heat treatment at 300ЊC, the films became insoluble in MSA. Crosslinked films were homogeneous and did not show phase segregation between the two components. These were composite films at the molecular level. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed enhanced interlayer integrity and reduced microfibril separation for the molecular composite films as compared to normal PBO film. These films had significantly better torsion and tension delamination resistance. The incorporation of a second component did not sacrifice the tensile properties of PBO film. Thermal stability of these composite films was only slightly lower than that of normal PBO film.