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The result of the authors´ 40 years of experience in durability testing, this book describes the advanced testing methodology based on the viscoelasticity of matrix polymer.
After a short introduction to the viscoelastic behavior of fiber-reinforced plastics, the text goes on to review in detail the concepts of static, fatigue and creep strengths in polymer composites. An application-oriented approach is adopted such that the concepts developed in the book are applied to real-life examples.
Indispensable information for materials scientists and engineers working in those industrial sectors is concerned with the development and safe use of polymer composite-based products.

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INTRODUCTION
VISCOELASTICITY
Concept of viscoelastic behavior
Concept of time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP)
Master curve of creep compliance of matrix resin
Generalization of TTSP for non-destructive deformation properties to static, creep and fatigue strengths
Master curve of static strength
Master curve of creep strength
Master curve of fatigue strength
Conclusion
MASTER CURVES OF VISCOELASTIC COEFFICIENTS OF POLYMER RESIN
Master curve of creep compliance based on modified time-temperature superposition principle
Simplified determination of long-term viscoelastic behavior
Conclusion
NON-DESTRUCTIVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FIBER REINFORCED PLASTICS (FRP)
Role of mixture
Mechanical and thermal properties
Master curves of creep compliances
STATIC AND FATIGUE STRENGTHS OF FIBER REINFORCED PLASTICS (FRP)
Experimental procedure
Results and discussion
Conclusion
FORMULATIONS OF STATIC STRENGTHS OF FIBER/POLYMER COMPOSITES
Formulation of quasi-static strength
Application of formulation
Results and discussion
Conclusion
FORMULATION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH OF FIBER/POLYMER COMPOSITES
Formulation
Application of formulation
Conclusion
FORMULATION OF CREEP STRENGTH OF FIBER/POLYMER COMPOSITES
Formulation
Application of formulation
Conclusion
APPLICATION 1: STATIC STRENGTHS IN VARIOUS LOAD DIRECTIONS OF UNIDIRECTIONAL CFRP UNDER WATER ABSORPTION CONDITION
Experimental procedure
Viscoelastic behavior of matrix resin
Master curves of static strengths for unidirectional CFRP
Relationship between static strengths and viscoelasticity of matrix resin
Conclusion
APPLICATION 2: MASTER CURVES OF STATIC AND FATIGUE FLEXURAL STRENGTHS OF VARIOUS FRP LAMINATES UNDER WATER ABSORPTION CONDITION
Preparation of specimens
Experimental procedures
Creep compliance
Flexural static strength
Flexural fatigue strength
Conclusion
APPLICATION 3: LIFE PREDICTION OF CFRP/METAL BOLTED JOINT
Experimental procedure
Results and discussion
Conclusion
APPLICATION 4: LIFE PREDICTION OF CFRP STRUCTURES BASED ON MMF/ATM
Procedure of MMF/ATM method
Determination of MMF/ATM critical parameters
Life determination of CFRP structures based MMF/ATM method
Experimental confirmation for OHC static and fatigue strengths of quasi-isotropic CFRP laminates
Conclusion

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Yasushi Miyano and Masayuki Nakada are Professors in Materials System Research Laboratory at Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Japan. Their research is focused on the prediction methodology for the long-term creep and fatigue lives of polymer composites based on the time-temperature superposition principle. Prof. Miyano is fellow of the Society for the Advancement of Material & Process Engineering, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, and The Japan Society of Composite Materials. Prof. Nakada is a fellow of The Japan Society of Composite Materials.

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