Measurement of thermal degradation in epoxy composites by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Stuart Farquharson; Rosemary Bassilakis; Marie B. DiTaranto; John R. Haigis; Wayne W. Smith; Peter R. Solomon; Rabeh Elleithy; Thomas Ebeling; John F. Wallace

doi:10.1117/12.166867

7 February 1994 Measurement of thermal degradation in epoxy composites by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Stuart Farquharson, Rosemary Bassilakis, Marie B. DiTaranto, John R. Haigis, Wayne W. Smith, Peter R. Solomon, Rabeh Elleithy, Thomas Ebeling, John F. Wallace

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2072, Fiber Optic Physical Sensors in Manufacturing and Transportation; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.166867
Event: Optical Tools for Manufacturing and Advanced Automation, 1993, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

The ability of Raman spectroscopy to nondestructively evaluate thermal degradation in graphite reinforced epoxy composites was examined. A series of composite samples, exposed to temperatures ranging from 150 to 400 degree(s)C for periods of 2 to 20 minutes, were analyzed by Fourier transform Raman and reflectance IR spectroscopies. The intensity of the Raman and IR polymeric backbone vibration at 1600 cm^-1 diminishes with increasing thermal exposures and can be correlated to failure strain and flexural strength measured by four point bending tests, as well as acoustic emission events. These data, along with IR transmission spectra of species evolved from composite pyrolysis, suggest that thermal degradation occurs in three stages: (1) polymeric fragmentation (possibly microcracking), (2) advanced polymer degradation observed as delamination between the four ply layers, and (3) final composite failure with fiber fracture.

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Stuart Farquharson, Rosemary Bassilakis, Marie B. DiTaranto, John R. Haigis, Wayne W. Smith, Peter R. Solomon, Rabeh Elleithy, Thomas Ebeling, and John F. Wallace "Measurement of thermal degradation in epoxy composites by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy", Proc. SPIE 2072, Fiber Optic Physical Sensors in Manufacturing and Transportation, (7 February 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.166867

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