Abstract
As common feature of composite materials, prominent anisotropy in mechanical properties is observed fiber reinforced plastics FRP, which has higher fracture strength and stiffness along the fiber strengthening component. Since it is well known that a resin matrix exhibits characteristic time and temperature dependence on mechanical behavior, that is, viscoelastic behavior, the FRP is naturally expected to exhibit similar behavior. Based on the above mentioned hypothesis, the stress-strain relation and the fracture strength of advanced FRP were investigated over wide ranges of time and temperature, in conjunction with similar investigations on the epoxy resin matrix. Furthermore, the role of matrix resin on stress-strain relations and fracture strengths of advanced FRP is discussed.
