Nonlinear constitutive model of CFRP composites under constant direct current: Combined effects of thermal damage and dielectric degradation

Prolonged exposure to low-density direct current (DC) can lead to mechanical degradation of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites, posing significant risks to material safety and reliability. This paper presents a nonlinear constitutive model to elucidate the mechanical degradation of CFRP composites when subjected to DC influences. Grounded in the principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, this model introduces two internal variables to account for the impact of thermal damage and dielectric degradation on the Helmholtz free energy. Furthermore, specialized dissipation functions are employed to derive the evolution equations governing these internal variables. Utilizing the model, we analyze the damage progression in carbon fiber–epoxy laminates subjected to constant DC loading. The theoretically projected resistivity and elastic modulus align closely with available experimental data in literature, thus confirming the rationality and accuracy of the proposed model. This model holds the potential to forecast the long-term evolution of mechanical properties in unidirectionally reinforced composite materials with varying carbon fiber contents under the influence of DC, thereby furnishing a theoretical foundation for enhancing the reliability design of CFRP composites in electrically-charged environments.