In-situ observation of tensile failure mode in cross-ply CFRP laminates using Talbot-Lau interferometry

Abstract

Over the last decade, the use of X-ray inspection imaging is significantly grown for microcrack analysis of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). In the current work, the microcracks generated in cross-ply CFRP laminates during the tensile test were examined using X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry (TLI). Unlike conventional X-ray inspection, TLI provides three images in one shot, called attenuation contrast (AC), differential phase contrast (DPC), and dark-field contrast (DFC). During X-ray analysis, CFRP cross-ply laminate was subjected to monotonic tensile load and generated microcracks were recorded. Using DFC images, multiple transverse microcracks originated from the notch, and its propagation along the width during the tensile test was detected. Moreover, an optical microscope was used to find out the microcrack density and size of microcrack in CFRP cross-ply laminates.