Electro-thermo-mechanical coupling in carbon fiber polymer matrix composites

Field coupling in electric-current-carrying composites is studied. Governing equations describing electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical field interactions in anisotropic materials and a corresponding two-dimensional approximation for transversely isotropic plates are discussed. A problem of electric current-induced heating and the associated thermal stresses in the electrified carbon fiber polymer matrix composite plate is considered. A closed-form solution for the temperature distribution is obtained. It is shown that application of the electric current leads to a significant temperature gradient across the plate. This, in turn, results in a considerable rise of the in-plane compressive stresses in the direction transverse to the direction of the applied current.