Advanced Composite Constrained Layer Laminates

The properties of laminar structures composed of elastomer constrained between plies of advanced fiber reinforced resin composites are reviewed. These material combinations are found to be lightweight, corrosion resist ant, structural laminar composites with excellent vibration damping prop erties. Experimental results of dynamic mechanical loss factors and storage moduli measurements on these constrained layer laminates obtained using a resonance, forced vibration flexural beam technique are presented. The loss factors are measured as a function of composite laminate orientation (configuration) and composite fiber type. The data are finally analyzed in terms of the classical vibration damping theories for constrained layer laminates.