Mixed mode testing of a multi-directional woven laminate

Abstract

Mixed-mode fracture toughness tests were carried out on a multi-directional laminate making use of a Brazilian disk specimen. The composite laminate consisted of plain, balanced woven plies with tows in the $$0^{\circ }/90^{\circ }$$ -directions and the $$+45^{\circ }/-45^{\circ }$$ -directions. The delamination was placed between two of these plies by means of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. Tests at various loading angles were performed in order to obtain a wide range of mode mixities. Each ply was homogenized by means of a micro-mechanical model to obtain its effective properties. The specimens were analyzed by means of the finite element method. An interaction energy or M-integral was extended for this interface to obtain the stress intensity factors. The latter were used to determine the critical interface energy release rate and two phase angles. Employing this information, a three-dimensional failure criterion proposed elsewhere was presented. The criterion may be used to predict failure of a composite structure containing a delamination along the interface and material studied here.