Prediction of momentary transverse creep behavior of thermoplastic polymer matrix composites using micromechanical models

The objective of this paper is to report on the application of two different micromechanical models for the characterization of the viscoelastic behavior of E-glass fiber reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) thermoplastic composites in the linear viscoelastic region. In particular, predictions are made for the momentary creep behavior of E-glass/PEI composites of various fiber volume fractions. Both micromechanics models, the Tsai-Hahn semi-empirical model and the finite element model, involved the use of elastic solutions and the elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle. The models were validated by applying them to composites having three different fiber volume fractions. These predictions are obtained from micromechanical models using the experimental creep compliance of the neat resin (matrix), the known fiber volume fraction, and the assumption that the fibers are elastic. Finally. comparisons are made between measured and predicted momentary creep master curves for the composites.