On the influence of preloading in the nonlinear viscoelastic–viscoplastic response of carbon–epoxy composites

On an ongoing research for the nonlinear viscoelastic response of composites and polymers, a study of the influence of preloading applied to composite laminates subjected to creep–recovery loading is performed. In cases where high stress levels are applied, this response becomes highly nonlinear and has to be taken into account when designing composite parts. A major problem encountered in the experimental investigation of the nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour is the mode of the initial applied loading and its effect in the overall viscoelastic response of the test sample. The damage that occurs due to the instantaneous application of the load leads to an additional viscoelastic/viscoplastic strain component. In order to investigate this effect as well as to compare different preloading modes, as far as viscoelastic/viscoplastic response is concerned, a test program was initiated and the experimental data were investigated in the current study. A preloading mode is applied in each specimen prior to the creep–recovery testing at different applied stress levels. Useful results concerning the effect of preloading in the time dependent response of the material are concluded. Variation of the values of viscoplastic strain in respect to the preloading mode is also of great concern.