SEDL / STP / STP907-EB / STP19982S

Fracture of Thick Graphite/Epoxy Laminates with Part-Through Surface Flaws

Harris, CE
Assistant professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Morris, DH
Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1986

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Abstract

An experimental investigation of the fracture behavior of tension specimens containing part-through semi-elliptic surface flaws was conducted utilizing T300/5208 graphite/epoxy laminates with a [0/±45/90]^10s stacking sequence. The notched strength of the specimens was found to be influenced by the flaw aspect ratio as well as flaw depth. Using a value of fracture toughness previously obtained for this material system, linear elastic isotropic fracture mechanics predicted the influence of the flaw shape and size on the notched strength.