Width effects on the tensile strength and fatigue behavior of angle-ply laminates

Abstract

The effects of the specimen width on the tensile strength and fatigue behavior of fiberglass/epoxy coupons was investigated experimentally. Monotonic and fatigue tensile tests of [±Θ 2] s laminates with six fiber angle orientations (ranging from ±25° to ±75°) and five different widths were conducted. The ultimate tensile strength and fatigue behavior depend on both the fiber angle orientation and specimen width. The effects of specimen width are more apparent at smaller angles, Θ≤45°. In general, the tensile strength and fatigue life increases and approachs a steady value as the specimen width increases. For larger fiber angles, Θ>45°, the width effects are less pronounced for both monotonic and fatigue loading.