To investigate the time and temperature dependences of the transverses tensile strength of unidirectional CFRP, tension tests were conducted at various temperatures and strain rates.
The transverse tensile strength of CFRP showed remarkable dependence upon time and temperature in the same manner as the tensile strength of the matrix. The master curve for the transverse tensile strength was able to be constructed by using their thermo-rheologically simple properties. The time and temperature shift factors for the fracture behaviors of both the matrix resin and the CFRP were quantitatively in good agreement, and also coincided well with those concerning the creep compliances of these materials. The observations by a scanning electron microscope showed that the appearance of fracture surface changed considerably with temperature.
