Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Notch sensitivity of thermoset and thermoplastic laminates loaded in tension

  • Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inplane tensile fracture of unnotched and notched thermoset graphite-epoxy and thermoplastic graphite-PEEK composite laminates is examined. Both fibre-dominated quasi-isotropic and matrix dominated ±45 angle-ply layups were investigated.

Classical lamination theory predictions of elastic and strength properties of unnotched specimens are compared with experiments. Several notched geometries, i.e. centre-notched, double-edge notched and open-hole specimens subjected to tensile loading to fracture were examined. The notched strength of the quasi-isotropic laminates was analysed by a damage zone model, where damage around the notch is represented by an “equivalent crack” with cohesive force acting between the crack surfaces.

Good agreement between experimental and calculated strength was observed for the graphite-epoxy laminates which failed in a collinear manner. For the graphite-PEEK laminates discrepancies between predicted and experimental strength are related to observed deviations from collinear crack growth. The angle-ply graphite-PEEK laminates showed larger notch sensitivity than the corresponding graphite-epoxy, probably due to less degree of stress relieving damage formation around the notch.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. M. Whitney andR. J. Nuismer,J. Compos. Mater. 8 (1974) 253.

    Google Scholar 

  2. R. J. Nuismer andJ. M. Whitney, ASTM STP 593 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1975) p. 117.

    Google Scholar 

  3. M. E. Waddoups, J. R. Eisenmann andB. E. Kaminski,J. Compos. Mater. 5 (1971) 446.

    Google Scholar 

  4. R. B. Pipes, R. C. Wetherhold andJ. W. Gillespie,ibid. 13 (1979) 148.

    Google Scholar 

  5. J. Bäcklund,Comput. Struct. 13 (1981) 145.

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. Bäcklund andC.-G. Aronsson,J. Compos. Mater. 20 (1986) 259.

    Google Scholar 

  7. C.-G. Aronsson andJ. Bäcklund,ibid. 20 (1986) 287.

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. Awerbuch andM. S. Madhukar,J. Reinf. Plast. Comp. 4 (1985) 3.

    Google Scholar 

  9. S. M. Bishop, G. D. Howard andC. J. Wood, “The Notch Sensitivity and Impact Performance of (0, ± 45) Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK”, RAE Technical Report 84066 (HMSO, London, 1984).

    Google Scholar 

  10. F. A. McClintock andG. R. Irwin, ASTM STP 381 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1965) p. 84.

    Google Scholar 

  11. A. Hillerborg, M. Modeer andP. E. Peterson,Cement Concrete Res. 6 (1976) 773.

    Google Scholar 

  12. J. F. Mandell, S. S. Wang andF. J. Mcgarry,J. Compos. Mater. 9 (1975) 266.

    Google Scholar 

  13. L. A. Carlsson andR. B. Pipes, “Experimental Characterization of Advanced Composite Materials” (Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1987).

    Google Scholar 

  14. J. E. Ashton, J. C. Halpin andP. H. Petit, “Primer on Composite Materials: Analysis” (Technomic, Westport, Connecticut, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  15. “CMAP”, Composite Software Users Guide, CCM, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  16. S. W. Tsai andE. M. Wu,J. Compos. Mater. Vol. 5 (1971), p. 58.

    Google Scholar 

  17. R. Walsh, unpublished data, University of Delaware (1986).

  18. J. W. Gillespie, Jr., L. A. Carlsson, R. B. Pipes, R. Rothschilds, B. Threthewey andA. Smiley, “Delamination Growth in Composite Materials”, NASA Contractor Report, NAG-1-475 (1985).

  19. S. W. Tsai, “Composites Design — 1985” (Think Composites, Box 581, Dayton, Ohio, 1985).

  20. T. K. O'brien, “Fatigue Delamination Behavior of PEEK Thermoplastic Composite Laminates”, Proceedings of the American Society for Composites First Conference on Composite Materials, Oct. 7–9 (1986), Dayton, OH.

  21. H. Wennerström, R. Glemberg andH. Petersson, “GENFEM-3, a computer program for general finite element analysis”, User's Manual, Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Structural Mechanics, Publication 79:4, Göteborg, 1979.

  22. H. Wennerström andH. Petersson, “GENFEM- 3, a computer program for general finite element analysis”, Verification Manual, Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Structural Mechanics, Publication 79:5, Göteborg, 1979.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, 33431, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

    Leif A. Carlsson

  2. Department of Aeronautical Structures and Materials, The Royal Institute of Technology, S-10044, Stockholm, Sweden

    Carl -Gustaf Aronsson & Jan Bäcklund

Authors
  1. Leif A. Carlsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carl -Gustaf Aronsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jan Bäcklund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carlsson, L.A., Aronsson, C.G. & Bäcklund, J. Notch sensitivity of thermoset and thermoplastic laminates loaded in tension. J Mater Sci 24, 1670–1682 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01105690

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01105690

Keywords

Search

Navigation