Material Characterization on the Fracture of Filament-Reinforced Composites

Abstract

The mixed mode fracture of unidirectional composites is investigated by application of the strain energy density theory. Two analytical models are used. The first assumes that the composite is an ideal homogeneous anisotropic body, and the second assumes that failure takes place in a layer of matrix material whose edges are bonded to two orthotropic plates. The expressions for the strain energy density factor, S, are derived for both models, and brittle fracture is assumed to occur when the S-factor in an element of material ahead of the crack reaches a critical value, S_c. Results are presented for E-glass fiber reinforced plastics, stainless steel fiber reinforced aluminum and graphite fiber epoxy materials and compared with available experimental data. The latter model is preferred as it accounts for the effect of nonhomogeneity that is inherent in the filament-reinforced composites.