Finite Element Analysis of Thermal Residual Stress in Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced Composite
During the cooling process of composites after curing, thermal residual stress will be produced due to mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion between matrix and reinforcement phases. Thermal residual stress is one of the most important factors that affect the mechanical properties of composite materials. The effect of fiber volume fraction on the distribution of thermal residual stress in unidirectional fiber reinforced composite has been investigated with finite element analysis. The results show an inhomogeneous distribution of thermal residual stress in different regions of composites. The longitudinal stress on the interface between matrix and fiber is the main factor resulting in debonding failure of composites. This numerical study can be of great significance in designing new composites with high performance.