ANALYSIS OF CRACK PROPAGATION IN POLYMERIC STRUCTURES

摘要

In many applications of polymeric laminated composites, the structure is subjected to cyclic loading. The understanding of crack initiation, crack propagation and crack path and the prediction thereof, in laminated composites, will enable safe use in commercial applications. This paper analyses crack behaviour in polymeric structures by utilising four testing procedures, namely, tensile, single edge notch beam (SENB), double cantilever beam (DCB) and mixed mode bending (MMB). Composite panels were manufactured using a modified vacuum bagging technique as well as a compression moulding technique. The crack initiation, crack propagation, crack path, strain energy release rates and stress intensity factors of polymeric composite structures are discussed in this study to enable the further investigation of cyclic loading of polymeric laminated composites.