INVESTIGATION OF MICROCRACK GROWTH IN 0/90_S COMPOSITE LAMINATES

摘要

Techniques such as optical microscopy and X-radiography have provided useful information regarding damage in composite laminates, particularly in terms of microcracking behavior in individual plies. This paper focuses on the investigation of microcracking and damage evolution in loaded composite laminates via X-ray computed microtomography. The main advantage in the use of such a technique is that damage within the composite can be assessed in three-dimensions without destruction of the composite. In this work, IM7/977-2, IM7/5555, and IM7/5276-1 coupons were uniaxially tested in a tensile substage. Graphs that convey microcracking density information as a function of applied load were created for [0/90/90/0] laminates. The three dimensional geometry and connectivity of microcracks and other damage in these samples were investigated through microtomographic reconstruction.