Steady-state creep analysis of polymer matrix composites using complex variable method

Abstract

A new analytical formulation is presented to study the steady-state creep in short fiber composites using complex variable method. In this new approach, both the fiber and matrix creep at low stresses and temperatures. To analyze the crept fiber, a plane stress model was used. Important novelties of the present analytical method are determination of displacement rates with proper boundary conditions in the crept fibers and also using the complex variable method in creep analyzing. It is noteworthy that the method can be useful to study the creep behavior in polymeric matrix composites due to their high capability of creep. Moreover, another significant application of the present method is to study on the creep or elastic behavior of carbon nanotube polymer composites. Finally, the results obtained from the present analytical method (complex variable method) show a good agreement with the existing experimental results.