Investigation of Microcrack Growth in [0/90]s Graphite Epoxy Composite Laminates Using X-Ray Microtomography

Graphite epoxy composites are being used in aerospace industry and spacecraft applications for their light weight and high strength. As a matter of fact these materials also have some disadvantages like damage which is hazardous when used in cryogenic application. Composite materials IM7/977-2, IM7/5555 and IM7/5276-1 are of interest for the aerospace industry and this research concentrates on study of microcracking, delamination and other defects in the [0/90]s composite laminates of the above materials. These materials were uni-axially tested to pre-determined stress levels and the damages in the material were recorded in the form of microcrack density at different stress levels. In this research work the use of X-Ray Microtomography has proven to be an excellent tool to characterize the crack connectivity and damage information three dimensionally. Dye penetrant technique was also used in this work to enhance the visibility of the cracks.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Tatiparthi, Arun

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schilling, Paul
• Verges, Melody
• Hui, David

• Microcrack density
• Delamination
• Microcracking
• X-Ray
• Microtomography

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/95

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1094