Abstract
AbstractThis review aims to assess publications relevant to understanding the rate-dependent dynamic behaviour of glass- and carbon-fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPs). FRPs are complex structures composed of fibres embedded in a polymer matrix, making them highly anisotropic. Their properties depend on their constituent materials as well as micro-, meso- and macro-scale structure. Deformation proceeds via a variety of damage mechanisms which degrade them, and failure can occur by one or more different processes. The damage and failure mechanisms may exhibit complex and unpredictable rate-dependence, with certain phenomena only observable under specific loading conditions or geometries. This review focusses on experimental methods for measuring the rate-dependent deformation of fibre composites: it considers high-stain-rate testing of both specimens of ‘simple’ geometry as well as more complex loadings such as joints, ballistic impact and underwater blast. The effects of strain rate on damage and energy-based processes are also considered, and several scenarios identified where strength and toughness may substantially decrease with an increase in strain rate.
Highlights
Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites have been made with a wide range of constituent materials, weaves, geometries and fibre fill fractions, and so despite a large amount of published experimental data, true like-for-like comparisons between studies are rarely possible
As inspection of specimens post-experiment is of particular interest for damage-driven deformation in FRPs, some researchers [13,14,15] have used a ‘reaction mass’ design of Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB), whereby the input bar is stopped after a pre-set time in order to avoid repeat loading
Given the strongly anisotropic nature of composites, different specimen geometries for fibre-direction and transverse samples may be preferable [57]: For through-thickness samples, a short, waisted disk glued to the flat ends of the sample holders was used – the short sample accounting for the low sound speed in that direction
Summary
Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites have been made with a wide range of constituent materials, weaves, geometries and fibre fill fractions, and so despite a large amount of published experimental data, true like-for-like comparisons between studies are rarely possible. Composites made from long fibres arranged in layers or ‘plies’ exhibit long-range anisotropy and order This directionality means damage mechanisms and failure modes will depend on the specific loading conditions and specimen geometry, as well as factors such as rate and temperature dependence. A review by Kidane et al [2] of strain rate effects in the shear loading of polymer matrix composites provided understanding of multi-directional behaviour This is of particular importance for the understanding of the highly directional nature of glass and carbon FRPs. Many of the challenges associated with high strain rate testing of composites have been known for some time, and are eloquently described as follows by Hamouda et al [3]: The characterization of the constituents is important in assessing the performance of composites of the fibre-reinforced type, the complex interaction occurring between the reinforcing fibres.
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