An Interlaminar Tension Strength Specimen
Abstract
This paper describes a technique to determine interlaminar tension strength, sigma 3c, of a fiber reinforced composite material using a curved beam. The specimen was a unidirectional curved beam, bent 90 deg, with straight arms. Attached to each arm was a hinged loading mechanism which was held by the grips of a tensile testing machine. Geometry effects of the specimen, including the effects of loading arm length, inner radius, thickness, and width, were studied. The data sets fell into two categories: low strength corresponding to a macroscopic flaw related failure and high strength corresponding to a microscopic flaw related failure. From the data available, the loading arm length had no effect on sigma 3c. The inner radius was not expected to have a significant effect on sigma 3c, but this conclusion could not be confirmed because of differences in laminate quality for each curve geometry. The thicker specimens had the lowest value of sigma 3c because Of poor laminate quality. Width was found to affect the value of sigma 3c only slightly. The wider specimens generally had a slightly lower strength since more material was under high stress, and hence, had a larger probability of containing a significant flaw.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA254049
Entities
People
- Roderick H. Martin
- Wade C. Jackson
Organizations
- United States Army Aviation and Missile Command