Understanding residual stresses in polymer matrix composites

Abstract: This chapter presents a review of the formation and effects of thermal residual stresses, as well as methods of measuring and predicting them. The first part of this chapter focuses on the factors responsible for residual stress formation in composites. The second part discusses the effects of thermal residual stresses on composites and their material properties. After identification of the effective parameters for thermal residual stress build-up and the effects of these stresses on composite shape and material properties, the methods for residual stresses measurement are presented, including destructive and non-destructive techniques. Finally, analytical and numerical methods for prediction of thermal residual stresses are studied and a comparison of experimental and theoretical methods is performed in the last section of this chapter.