Microcracking Fracture Toughness for Graphite Epoxy Composite Laminates Using Finite Fracture Mechanics

<p>Graphite/epoxy composite laminates are widely used in the aerospace industry. However the industry cannot take full advantage of the superior strength and stiffness of composite materials until their failure mechanisms can be thoroughly understood by engineers. Recognizing the importance of such understanding, the current study was undertaken to determine the microcracking fracture toughness in composite laminates using the energy release rate criteria. Three materials of specific interest in the aerospace industry – IM7/977-2, IM7/5555 and IM7/5276-1 – were analyzed. To evaluate the microcracking fracture toughness, displacement controlled static tensile tests were performed. Microcrack density (the number of microcracks per unit length) was measured as a function of applied stress. The data were analyzed to obtain the microcracking fracture toughness (Gm) for each material system. The value of Gm can be used to predict the microcracking behavior of composite laminates made from the corresponding material.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Year

2006

Author dc:creator

• Kasturi, Krishna Kumar

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schilling, Paul
• Verges, Melody
• Herrington, Paul

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/427

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1448