Flexural Fatigue Behavior of Cross-Ply Laminates: An Experimental Approach

Within an experimental approach we describe the mechanical behavior of different resin-epoxy laminates reinforced with cross-ply Kevlar and glass fibers under conditions of static and cyclic three-point bending. In static tests, we consider the effect of stacking sequence, the thickness of 90°-oriented layers, reinforcement type on the mechanical behavior of laminates under loading and on realization of various damage modes leading to rupture. Cyclic loading studies have been performed in two steps. In the first stage, we inquire into the dependence of the behavior and durability of four glass fiber-reinforced laminate-types on the stacking sequence; the second stage is devoted to studying the dependence of cyclic strength and fatigue behavior of laminates on the reinforcement type. Fatigue tests are carried out in load-control regime for glass and hybrid (Kevlar + glass) fiber laminates. Fatigue curves are constructed in coordinates stress – number of cycles until fracture from the criteria corresponding to a drop in stiffness by 5 and 10%. Analysis of the results obtained permits evaluation of the effect of the stacking sequence and the reinforcement type on the behavior of cross-ply laminates in cyclic loading. The presence of Kevlar fibers accounts for nonlinear behavior of laminates in static tests and for low cyclic strength in fatigue tests under three-point bending.