EFFECT OF INITIAL FIBER CRACKS ON FRACTURE BEHAVIOR IN CFRP CROSS-PLY LAMINATES

摘要

This paper presents characterization of fracture behavior of laminates with initial cracks in fibers. Initial fiber cracks were introduced in prepreg sheets and cross-ply laminates using the cracked prepregs were fabricated. Tensile tests were conducted to obtain the strength and the damage propagation on the top and edge surfaces of the laminate was observed microscopically. Effect of crack geometry on strength and fracture behavior was discussed. The strength of the cracked laminate is proportional to the intact width and independent of crack geometry. Splitting from the initial crack tip, as well as transverse cracking and delamination occurred progressively while fiber breakage takes place just before final failure of the specimen.