Effect of Temperature and Strain Rate on the Tensile Properties of Boron-Aluminum and Boron-Epoxy Composites

The effects of strain rates from 8 × 10^-5 to 0.4 s^-1 on tensile strengths and moduli of 6-ply 6061 aluminum-46.5 percent boron at temperatures up to 1000°F (537°C) and of 10-ply unidirectional and cross-ply epoxy-50 percent boron composites at temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) have been measured. Longitudinal properties were reduced moderately at high temperatures, and were only slightly higher at high strain rates than at low strain rates. Transverse properties decreased rapidly with temperature, and were either unaffected by high strain rates, particularly at low temperatures, or were substantially increased, especially at high temperatures, in both aluminum and epoxy systems.