SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1987
STP24374S

Interlaminar Fracture Toughness and Real-Time Fracture Mechanism of Some Toughened Graphite/Epoxy Composites

Source

Five graphite/epoxy composites containing toughened epoxies prepared at Dow Chemical and AS-4 graphite fibers from Hercules have been studied in Mode I, mixed mode, and Mode II to determine their delamination fracture toughnesses Gc and the controlling micromechanism of fracture. The Gc values were determined using split laminate specimens. The delamination fracture process was observed in real time in the scanning electron microscope. To increase delamination fracture toughness, both an improved interface as well as higher resin toughness were found to be required. Increasing Mode II loading, particularly of the more brittle systems, gives a significantly greater resistance to crack propagation as measured by the total energy release rate required to propagate the crack.

Author Information

Hibbs, MF
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Tse, MK
The Dow Chemical Company, Resins Research, Freeport, TX
Bradley, WL
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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Details
Developed by Committee: D30
Pages: 115–130
DOI: 10.1520/STP24374S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5002-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0934-6