Shear characterization of unidirectional composites with the off-axis tension test

The influence of end constraints on accurate determination of the intralaminar shear modulus G(12) from an off-axis tension test is examined both analytically and experimentally. The Pagano-Halpin (1968) model is employed to illustrate that, when the effect of end constraints is properly considered, the exact expression for G(12) is obtained. When the effect of end constraints is neglected, expressions for the apparent shear modulus G(12)-asterisk and apparent Young's modulus Exx-asterisk are obtained. Numerical comparison for various off-axis configurations and aspect ratios is carried out using typical material properties for graphite/polyimide unidirectional composites. It is demonstrated that the end-constraint effect influences accurate determination of G(12) more adversely than it affects the laminate Young's modulus E(xx) in the low off-axis range. Experimental results obtained from off-axis tests on unidirectional graphite/polyimide specimens confirm the above. Based on the presented analytical and experimental evidence, the 45-deg off-axis coupon is proposed for the determination of the intralaminar shear modulus G(12).