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Fatigue Propagation of Fibre-Bridged Cracks in Unidirectional Polymer-Matrix Composites

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Abstract

In order to improve the fatigue resistance of polymer-matrix composites by materials design, or to conceive micromechanics based models for life predictions, the underlying micromechanisms must be understood. Experimental investigations have revealed fibre-bridged cracking as a toughening micromechanism that retards further fatigue crack growth in a unidirectional 0° carbon-fibre-reinforced epoxy. The bridging fibres exert a closing traction on the crack surfaces, thereby reducing the driving force for crack growth. In this study, the growth of bridged cracks has been quantified by a surface replication technique. The da/dN–ΔK curve defined in terms of nominal stress-intensity factors shows a crack retarding behaviour. The crack growth curve can be replotted in terms of the effective stress-intensity factor where the contribution of the cohesive crack surface forces from the bridging fibres are taken into account. This curve falls somewhat closer to that of the neat matrix material, but the difference is still considerable, and it shows a decelerating propagation. Therefore, there must be other active toughening mechanisms besides fibre bridging, that slow the crack propagation down, and account for the fatigue resistant behaviour of the tested material. Ways by microstructural design to promote the fatigue resistant mechanisms are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Research Department, Risø National Laboratory, P.O. Box 49, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    E. K. Gamstedt

  2. Department of Solid Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden

    S. Östlund

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  1. E. K. Gamstedt
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  2. S. Östlund
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Gamstedt, E.K., Östlund, S. Fatigue Propagation of Fibre-Bridged Cracks in Unidirectional Polymer-Matrix Composites. Applied Composite Materials 8, 385–410 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012677604599

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