Interlaminar fracture toughness of woven E-glass fabric composites

Abstract

Composite materials fabricated using woven fabrics are characterized for fracture toughness. Crack propagation behavior in woven fabric composites is investigated with respect to the periodic pattern produced as a result of the weave structure. Additionally, experimental methods for determining fracture toughness are investigated for woven fabric composites and a numerical technique to detect crack onset is proposed. Fracture characterization methods for mode I, mode II, and mixed-mode are investigated. A case study encompassing DCB, ENF, and three MMB test configurations is presented for a typical marine-grade E-glass fiber reinforced composite with a toughened vinyl ester resin matrix. The aim of this article is to investigate the fracture behavior of a heavy woven fabric composite. The most important outcomes of this study are a numerical technique to detect crack initiation and a discussion of the fracture behavior of woven fabric composites.