Microcrack Growth in Graphite Fiber-Epoxy Resin Systems During Compressive Fatigue

TL;DRAbstract

Transfibrile crack extension in graphite fiber-epoxy resin composites was investigated in notched beams under cyclic compressive loading. Compressive fatigue crack growth was evaluated using selected linear elastic fracture mechanics parameters. A model was used to correlate observed micro-fracture processes with compressive crack extension behavior. Crack propagation underwent periods of deceleration and acceleration, and the crack growth rate dependence on material and environmental variables was determined. Transfibrile fatigue crack extension in unidirectional composites is a result of axial cracking and frequently resulted in crack arrest. Comparison of unidirectional composites with different epoxy resins showed the composite with the higher bond strength to be less susceptible to axial cracking along the fiber-matrix interface than the one with the lower bond strength. Crossplied (0°/90°) composites had lower compressive strengths, and through-specimen fractures resulted from ax

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