Multi-directional composite laminates: fatigue delamination propagation in mode I—a comparison

Abstract

Double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens composed of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminate composites were tested. Two material systems were investigated. One consisted of plies from a woven prepreg alternating with tows in the $$0^{\circ }/90^{\circ }$$-directions and the $$+45^{\circ }/-45^{\circ }$$-directions. The second was fabricated by means of a wet-layup process with the same multi-directions as the prepreg. In addition, for the second material system, a unidirectional (UD) fabric ply was added. The delamination for this laminate was between the UD fabric and the woven ply with tows in the $$+45^{\circ }/-45^{\circ }$$-directions. Both fracture resistance R-curve and fatigue delamination propagation tests were carried out. It is found that the initiation value of the interface energy release rate is substantially lower for the wet-layup; whereas, their steady state values are quite similar. The fatigue delamination propagation tests were performed at various cyclic R-ratios. The delamination propagation rate da/dN was calculated from the experimental data and plotted using a modified Paris equation with different functions of the mode I energy release rate. As expected, the da/dN curves depend upon the R-ratio. By using another parameter based on the Hartman–Schijve equation for metals, it is possible to obtain a master-curve for all R-ratios. It is seen that the propagation rate for the prepreg is faster than that of the wet-layup.