Predicting Decomposition Processes of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites Heated in N2 and Air Environments

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMCs) subjected to widely varying temperatures and heating rates in service and manufacturing may undergo decomposition processes in constituent matrix and fiber materials. Prediction of the thermal responses of PMCs requires accurate input parameter assessment derived from reliable thermal property characterization and decomposition kinetics. A methodology was developed to uniquely determine unified kinetic model parameters (UKMPs) for predicting multistage thermal decomposition kinetics of PMCs. The UKMPs were used to accurately predict thermal decomposition processes of T650/5250-4 woven composites heated in both N2 and air environments over the entire range of experimentally measured temperatures and heating rates.