Influence of silane coupling agents on interlaminar fracture in glass fibre fabric reinforced unsaturated polyester laminates

The relationship between the adhesive properties of the interphase of glass fibre/resin and the resultant composite Mode I delamination fracture toughness in glass fibre fabric laminate (GFFL) was studied. The Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of GFFL was obtained by using a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen. The delamination resistance of GFFLs which have two silane coupling agents and three concentration finishes is discussed on the basis of interlaminar fracture toughness. The crack propagation behaviour of DCB testing was mainly divided into stable and unstable manners. The fracture toughness and the crack propagation behaviour were dependent on the types and concentration of silane coupling agents.     

The characterization of Mode I delamination failure in non-woven,multidirectional laminates

The Mode I delamination failure of fibre-reinforced epoxy laminates was characterized using the uniform double cantilever beam test specimen and scanning electron microscopy. Generally, this failure appeared in a variety of forms, depending on ply orientation, test-specimen geometry and matrix toughness. The calculated fracture energy heavily depended on the fracture surface morphology. By defining interlaminar fracture strictly as an interlaminar separation including no fibre breakage, pull-out, etc, a material property independent of test-specimen geometry and orientation of the plies constituting the delaminating interface was elucidated. Since this quantity dissipated the least amount of energy possible during crack growth, it is the controlling factor for laminate toughness.     

Interlaminar fracture toughness and associated fracture behaviour of bead-filled epoxy/glass fibre hybrid composites

To investigate enhancement of matrix-dominated properties (such as interlaminar fracture toughness) of a composite laminate, two different bead-filled epoxies were used as matrices for the bead-filled epoxy/glass fibre hybrid composites. The plane strain fracture toughness of two different bead-filled epoxies have been measured using compact tension specimens. Significant increases in toughness were observed. Based on these results the interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture behaviour of hybrid composites, fabricated using bead-filled epoxy matrices, have been investigated using double cantilever beam and end notch flexure specimens for Mode I and Mode II tests, respectively. The hybrid composites based on carbon bead-filled matrix shows an increase in both G _IC initiation and G _IIC values as compared to a glass fibre reinforced plastic laminate with unmodified epoxy matrix. The optimum bead volume fraction for the hybrid composite is between 15% and 20%. However, the unmodified epoxy glass-fibre composite shows a higher G _IC propagation value than that of hybrid composites, due to fibre bridging, which is less pronounced in the hybrids as the presence of the beads results in a matrix-rich interply region.     

Monitoring of delamination onset and growth during Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture tests using guided waves

A delamination monitoring method was proposed to characterize Mode I and Mode II delamination onset in carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminates through interrogation of guided waves activated and captured using piezoelectric actuators and sensors in a pitch–catch configuration. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture tests were conducted using double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notch flexure (ENF) specimens to evaluate the proposed method. The changes in wave propagation velocity and wave magnitude (or attenuation), and the degree of waveform similarity between excitation and response signals, were calculated as delamination-sensitive wave parameters and plotted versus displacement recorded using a materials testing system. The kink points determined from wave parameter–displacement curves agreed well with the deviation from linearity (NL), visual observation (VIS) and maximum load (Max) points, which are often used in conventional methods for determining interlaminar fracture toughness. The propagation characteristics of the A₀ wave mode in a low frequency range were demonstrated to have high sensitivity to Mode I and in particular Mode II delamination onset in CF/EP composite laminates. It was concluded that the guided waves propagating in the DCB and ENF specimens were capable of determining Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness, complementing current practices based on visual inspection or trivial interrogation using load–displacement curve alone.     

Electrospun nanofibre toughened carbon/epoxy composites: Effects of polyetherketone cardo (PEK-C) nanofibre diameter and interlayer thickness

Polyetherketone cardo (PEK-C) nanofibres were produced by an electrospinning technique and directly deposited on carbon fabric to improve the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon/epoxy composites. The influences of nanofibre diameter and interlayer thickness on the Mode I delamination fracture toughness, flexure property and thermal mechanical properties of the resultant composites were examined. Considerably enhanced interlaminar fracture toughness has been achieved by interleaving PEK-C nanofibres with the weight loading as low as 0.4% (based on weight of the composite). Finer nanofibres result in more stable crack propagation and better mechanical performance under flexure loading. Composites modified by finer nanofibres maintained the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the cured resin. Increasing nanofibre interlayer thickness improved the fracture toughness but compromised the flexure performance. The T_g of the cured resin deteriorated after the thickness increased to a certain extent.     

Effect of variation in fibre volume fraction on modes I and II delamination behaviour of 5HS woven composites manufactured by RTM

Composites produced by resin infusion techniques will inevitably suffer from variation in resin distribution due to imprecise fibre placement and distortion of the preform during mould closure and infusion. This paper describes an investigation into the effect of variations in fibre volume fraction (FVF) on mode I and mode II delamination behaviour for 5 harness satin (5HS) woven carbon–fibre/epoxy resin composites manufactured by resin transfer moulding (RTM). Additionally, the effect of satin face tow orientation on interlaminar toughness was investigated. In mode I, it was found that toughness increased with increasing FVF and that a strong correlation between fracture surface damage and measured interlaminar fracture toughness was observed. In mode II, measured toughness values were higher than expected and tests were repeated using a mixed-mode rig with 5% mode I. It was found that fracture toughness measurements in pure mode II are significantly affected by friction or mechanical interlocking between the delamination surfaces.     

Toughening and self-healing of epoxy matrix laminates using mendable polymer stitching

This paper presents an experimental study into a new type of stitched fibre–polymer laminate that combines high interlaminar toughness with self-healing repair of delamination damage. Poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) filaments were stitched into carbon fibre/epoxy laminate to create a three-dimensional self-healing fibre system that also provides high fracture toughness. Double cantilever beam testing revealed that the stitched EMAA fibres increased the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (by ∼120%) of the laminate, and this reduced the amount of delamination damage that must subsequently be repaired by the self-healing stitches. The 3D stitched network was effective in delivering self-healing EMAA material extracted from the stitches into the damaged region, and this resulted in high recovery in the delamination fracture toughness (∼150% compared to the original material). The new self-healing stitching method provides high toughness which resists delamination growth while also having the functionality to repeatedly repair multiple layers of damage in epoxy matrix laminates.     

Role of Interface Modification on the Mode I and Mode II Fracture Behavior of Glass Fabric / Vinyl Ester Composites

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of five different combinations of silane coupling agents on the Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness and strength of woven glass fabric / vinyl ester composite laminates. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) and End Notch Flexure (ENF) tests were conducted to estimate the influence of surface treatment of glass fabric wilh methacryl silane and methanol washing, on the Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness, respectively. The results were compared with those of a conventional epoxy silane coated composite. It was found that an increasing content of methacryl silane (0.01 wt.% to 1.0 wt.%) reduced the Model fracture toughness and enhanced the Mode II fracture toughness values. Methanol washing after treatment with melhacryl sitane resulted in an increase of both Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness values.     

Mixed mode fracture toughness of GFRP composites

Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are used in a wide range of applications as a structural material. They have high specific mechanical properties but are prone to delamination as a result of manufacturing defects and impact/shock loading. The ability of the structure to continue to carry load after damage and the subsequent propensity of the damage to propagate are important considerations for the design of damage tolerant composite structures. In order to accurately predict the stability of damage under load, relevant mechanical properties of the material must be accurately determined. In particular, mixed mode fracture toughness data is required in order to study the damage criticality in such structures. This paper describes an experimental study to determine Mixed Mode fracture toughness for thick glass/vinylester specimens. The test methodology used for the experiments and its difficulties will be discussed. Mixed mode fracture toughness results are presented, as are Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness results obtained via Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) and End Notch Flexure (ENF) tests, respectively.     

Composite toughness enhancement with interlaminar reinforcement

An experimental investigation of a newly proposed through-thickness reinforcement approach aimed to increase interlaminar toughness of laminated composites is presented. The approach alters conventional methods of creating three-dimensional fiber-reinforced polymer composites in that the reinforcing element is embedded into the host laminate after it has been cured. The resulting composite is shown to possess the benefits of a uniform surface quality and consolidation of the original unreinforced laminate. This technique was found to be highly effective in suppressing the damage propagation in delamination double-cantilever beam (DCB) test samples under mode I loading conditions. Pullout testing of a single reinforcing element was carried out to understand the bridging mechanics responsible for the improved interlaminar strength of reinforced laminate and stabilization and/or arrest of delamination crack propagation. The mode I interlaminar fracture of reinforced DCB samples was modeled using two-dimensional cohesive finite-element scheme to support interpretation of the experiments.     

Bisphenol A based polyester binder as an effective interlaminar toughener

Bisphenol A based thermoplastic polyesters are commonly used in the industry as binders, or tackifiers, to produce cost-saving preforms in Liquid Composite Moulding processes such as Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM). However, it is often reported that the presence of these polyesters has a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite laminates. In contrast, this study shows that interlaminar toughness can be increased without negatively affecting other properties by coating the reinforcing plies with a bisphenol A based thermoplastic polyester if some precautions are taken in mind.The polyester was added to an epoxy resin in order to study its effect on the thermophysical properties and fracture toughness of the bulk epoxy. The polyester molecules acted as a plasticizer for the epoxy resin when the polyester was added in low amounts. This increased the bulk fracture toughness of the epoxy resin by 30%. Polyester modified glass/epoxy laminates were produced and tested for Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness and flexural properties. The increased toughness of the epoxy matrix led to a 60% increased Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of the laminates, without negatively affecting flexural stiffness and strength of the laminates.     

DCB test simulation of stitched CFRP laminates using interlaminar tension test results

A simulation model for the delamination extension of stitched CFRP laminates and 3-D orthogonal interlocked fabric composites (3-D OIFC) has been developed using a 2-D finite element method incorporating interlaminar tension test results to simulate the experimental results of their DCB tests. The mechanical properties of through-the-thickness fiber were determined from the results of interlaminar tension tests in which the specimen included only one through-the-thickness yarn. The fracture phenomena around the through-the-thickness thread, such as debonding from the in-plane layer, slack absorption, fiber bridging, and the pull-out of broken threads from the in-plane layers, are also introduced into the FEM model. The present FEM simulation results were compared to DCB test results for certain stitched laminates and a 3-D OIFC, and the simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results of DCB tests, including the load–displacement curve and Mode I strain energy release rate (GI). While it was difficult to estimate GI accurately when the DCB test specimen included different types of z-fiber fracture modes, the present model of FEM analysis can simulate the experimental results of DCB tests of stitched laminates and 3-D OIFC. It is suggested that the GI of CFRP with arbitrary z-fiber densities can be predicted by using this FEM analysis model together with interlaminar tension test results.     

玻璃纤维增强复合材料的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性

介绍了玻璃纤维增强复合材料Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性“RoundRobinTest”的结果随着偶联剂浓度的改变，Ⅰ型裂纹的扩展方式从稳态向非稳态转变这类断裂韧性强烈地依赖界面性能关键词##4界面性能;;Ⅰ型断裂韧性;;裂纹扩展;;稳态;;非稳态     

缝合层合板的I型层间断裂韧性研究

通过缝合的方法改善织物增强复合材料层合板的层间断裂韧性.采用双悬臂梁(DCB)试验测试和研究了缝合层合板的层间断裂韧性与断裂行为.为了评价缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)对层间断裂韧性的影响, 用改进的插入型夹具在实测不同缝合工艺层合板的I型层间断裂韧性值(GIC)的基础上, 分析和阐明了缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)与GIC间的关系; 以提高层合板的平均层间断裂韧性值为目标, 以拉伸和弯曲强度为约束条件优化了缝合工艺; 采用摄影显微镜对分层断裂面进行了观察, 分析和考察了缝合对其它性能的影响.结果表明 改进的插入型夹具可方便地完成缝合层合板的I型层间断裂韧性测试; 缝合后裂纹不连续扩展, 缝合密度对裂纹扩展行为有较大影响; 随着缝合密度的增大, 层间断裂韧性值增大, 但拉伸和弯曲强度降低, 缝合密度存在最佳值.     

Charakterisierung des Delaminationsverhaltens von Schichtverbunden unter Mode I- und Mode II-Belastungen

Characterization of the delamination behaviour of composites under mode I- and mode II-loading In order to determine fracture toughness properties of fibre-reinforced polymers the „Double Cantilever Beam”︁-test (DCB) has been used for mode I loading and the „End Notched Flexure”︁-test (ENF) for mode II loading. By these methods the energy release rate G and the corresponding R-curve (crack resistance curve) have been measured which characterise the crack resistance of the material against delamination. Especially the influence of fibre coatings, different structures of the laminate, and matrix modifiers on fracture toughness have been examined for epoxy as well as for thermoplastic composites (polyamide and polypropylene/glass fibres).     

缝合层合板的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性研究

通过缝合的方法改善织物增强复合材料层合板的层间断裂韧性.采用双悬臂梁(DCB)试验测试和研究了缝合层合板的层间断裂韧性与断裂行为.为了评价缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)对层间断裂韧性的影响,用改进的插入型夹具在实测不同缝合工艺层合板的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性值(G_IC)的基础上,分析和阐明了缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)与G_IC间的关系;以提高层合板的平均层间断裂韧性值为目标,以拉伸和弯曲强度为约束条件优化了缝合工艺;采用摄影显微镜对分层断裂面进行了观察,分析和考察了缝合对其它性能的影响.结果表明:改进的插入型夹具可方便地完成缝合层合板的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性测试;缝合后裂纹不连续扩展,缝合密度对裂纹扩展行为有较大影响;随着缝合密度的增大,层间断裂韧性值增大,但拉伸和弯曲强度降低,缝合密度存在最佳值.     

Self-healing of delamination cracks in mendable epoxy matrix laminates using poly[ethylene-co-(methacrylic acid)] thermoplastic

This paper investigates the self-healing repair of delamination cracks in a carbon fibre–epoxy laminate using the mendable thermoplastic poly[ethylene-co-(methacrylic acid)] (EMAA). The effects of different types (fibres or particles) and concentrations of the mendable EMAA agent on the self-healing efficiency was measured using mode I interlaminar fracture toughness testing and fractographic analysis. The EMAA was effective in healing delamination damage and increasing the fracture toughness compared to the original laminate. High healing efficiency was achieved by the wide area flow of EMAA (increase of ～25 times) through delamination cracks under the pressure delivery mechanism. High recovery in the fracture toughness was achieved after healing by the formation of large-scale EMAA-bridging ligaments along the delamination, which is a toughening mechanism unique to this type of self-healing material. EMAA proved effective for the multiple repairs of delamination cracks with some loss in the self-healing efficiency of the mendable laminates.     

Finite element modelling of delamination growth in the DCB and edge delaminated DCB specimens

This paper presents the results of a finite element investigation of delamination growth in a conventional Mode I double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen and in an edge-delaminated version of this specimen. The investigation was performed using a recently developed FE model for delamination growth prediction to which an approximate contact area detection method has been added. The results of the FE analyses are used to evaluate the existing data reduction techniques for calculation of interlaminar fracture toughness. It is shown that the conventional DCB data reduction schemes can be applied to the edge delaminated specimen but the results are dependent upon the difference between the measured apparent delamination length and the actual length being constant. An alternative data reduction method is presented in which the critical energy release rate is determined by comparison of the experimental data with finite element results and does not require measurement of the delamination length.     

Effect of mendable polymer stitch density on the toughening and healing of delamination cracks in carbon–epoxy laminates

This paper presents an investigation into the effect of stitch density on the delamination toughening and self-healing properties of carbon–epoxy laminates. The stitches provide the laminate with the synergistic combination of high mode I interlaminar fracture toughness to resist delamination cracking and healing properties to repair delamination damage. The results show that the fracture toughness of the laminate increased with stitch density, due to higher traction (crack closure) loads exerted by the stitches bridging the delamination. During the healing process these bridging stitches first melt and then flow into the delamination, leading to self-healing with full restoration of the mode I fracture toughness. Furthermore, the stitches were capable of repairing delamination cracks many times larger than the original size of the stitches. The effect of stitch density on the healing process of delamination cracks and restoration of fracture toughness was found to remain approximately the same under multiple repair operations.     

圆弧形单向纤维增强树脂复合材料的I型层间断裂韧性测试及分析

层合板的I型层间断裂韧性的测量方法通常为单向纤维增强树脂复合材料的末端切口(End notched flexure, ENF)试样的双悬臂梁(Double cantilever beam, DCB)试验。为了得到带有弧度的层合复合材料结构的I型层间断裂韧性,对圆弧形末端切口(Arc-ENF)试样进行DCB试验。基于梁的弯曲理论和Irwin-Kies公式得到Arc-ENF试样的柔度公式与I型临界能量释放率G_IC公式,并且利用ABAQUS软件对DCB试验进行数值模拟。最终,通过对比分析理论公式计算结果、数值模拟结果和DCB试验结果来验证柔度公式和G_IC公式的合理性和有效性,对带有任意弧度的DCB试样的I型层间断裂韧性的测试与分析具有参考价值。