Studies on effect of pre-crack length variation on Inter-laminar fracture toughness of a Glass Epoxy laminated composite

Abstract

Laminates of fiber reinforced polymer composites are good in in-plane properties and inherently weak in through thickness direction. To address this through thickness properties, the inter-laminar fracture toughness (GIc and GIIc) of a unidirectional (UD) Glass epoxy composite laminates were subjected to Mode-I and Mode-II loadings. Experiments were conducted using Double cantilever beam (DCB) and End notch flexure (ENF) specimens with varying pre-crack lengths. Mode I energy release rate (GIc) were also evaluated with modified beam and modified compliance theories. The experimental results reveal that, GIc fracture toughness increases with increasing in pre-crack length, where as in GIIc the effect of increase in pre-crack length exhibits reduced fracture toughness.