Characterization of Woven-Carbon/Copper-Matrix Composites

Designing metal-matrix composites into actual components requires both experimental and analytical characterization of the behavior of these composites. This report describes mathematical modeling and experimental characterization of the elastoplastic behaviors of composite materials made of copper and copper-alloy matrices reinforced with carbon fibers in a biaxial weave known in the industry as "8-harness satin." The experiments included monotonic- and cyclic-tension and -compression tests, combined tension/compression tests, and monotonic- and cyclic-shear tests, with strain gauges attached to specimens oriented, variously, with the fill or warp directions of the weaves along the directions of applied stresses.