Residual stresses in angleplied laminates and their effects on laminate behavior

NASA Lewis Research Center research in the field of composite laminate residual stresses is reviewed and summarized. The origin of lamination residual stresses, evidence of their presence, experimental methods for measuring them, and theoretical methods for predicting them are described. Typical results are presented which show the magnitudes of residual stresses in various laminates including hybrids and superhybrids, and in other complex composite components. Results are also presented which show the effects of lamination residual stresses on laminate warpage and on laminate mechanical properties including fracture stresses. Finally, the major findings and conclusions derived therefrom are summarized.