Damage Mechanisms in Composite/Composite Bonded Joints Under Static Tensile Loading

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study of the initiation and development of damage in composite/composite joints. The materials studied are glass fibre reinforced polyester laminates and these are bonded together using an epoxy adhesive. Two types of joint interface are examined, assemblies between woven roving layers and between mat layers. The experimental techniques employed are dye impregnation, extensometry, visual observation and photoelasticimetry. It is shown that the nature of the surface layer does not influence the damage initiation load but does affect subsequent crack propagation.