The Measurement of Stresses in Composites

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Abstract
Although there is mounting interest in the measurement of stresses in composite materials after fabrication and/or use, few measurements to date have not taken into account the three dimensional nature of the stress system in such materials. Most data give only the net stress, that is, the difference between principal stresses. A procedure for a more complete measurement (in a reasonable time) is developed here, including the separation of macrostresses and microstresses. If time does not permit a full investigation, measurements of the lattice parameters of the component phases provide a simple way to sample the hydrostatic component due to differential thermal contraction. The Barrett-Predecki method of adding filler is particularly promising for stress measurements in those composites whose component phases do not give appropriate diffraction peaks. This procedure could also be used for monitoring stresses during the useful life of such materials.