Improving the Impact and Fracture Resistance of Fibrous Composites.
Abstract
A three phase program to improve the impact resistance of composite materials was undertaken. In the first phase, the Charpy impact test is investigated as a method for characterising dynamic behavior. The importance of differentiating between the energies of crack initiation and crack propagation is discussed, and a parameter called the Ductility Index is proposed, together with maximum stress and work of fracture for comparing the dynamic fracture behavior of fiber composites. Slow three point bending and instrumented impact tests were carried out to investigate the quasi-static and dynamic fracture behavior of (1) unidirectional fiber composites consisting of carbon and glass fibers embedded in an epoxy resin matrix; (2) cross-ply carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites, and (3) a carbon fiber/glass fiber/epoxy resin hybrid composite. It was found that fiber hybridization could raise both the fracture stress and toughness, and ductility index of carbon fiber composite materials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA016959
Entities
People
- Peter W. R. Beaumont
- Vivien Martin
Organizations
- University of Cambridge