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Crack path simulation in a particle-toughened interlayer within a polymer composite laminate

Crack path simulation in a particle-toughened interlayer within a polymer composite laminate
Crack path simulation in a particle-toughened interlayer within a polymer composite laminate
With recent advances in computational resources and the development of arbitrary cracking methods, such as the Augmented Finite Element Method (A-FEM), more complex simulations can now be represented featuring multiple interacting cracks. It has been established that Mode I crack propagation in particle-toughened interlayers within some toughened Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates involves a discontinuous process zone, rather than a distinct crack tip. This results from multiple cracks forming ahead of the main crack that subsequently coalesce, leaving behind bridging ligaments that may then provide traction across the crack flanks. An idealised two-dimensional A-FEM model is presented in this work, which represents the ‘particles’ as one-dimensional cohesive regions. The model shows that variables such as particle spacing, distribution, strength and toughness, and fibre interface strength can be tailored in order to maintain the crack path within the interlayer. This competition between crack paths is important, as a reduction in composite toughness is reported when the crack path migrates to the fibre interface. The simulations are complemented by time-resolved Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography (SRCT) data, which identify the chronology of the damage processes, along with the effects of particle distribution on the crack path and the formation of bridging ligaments.
0266-3538
89-96
Borstnar, Gregor
d391eccc-0f99-473c-b7ba-e58f8bb952b4
Mavrogordato, Mark
f3e0879b-118a-463a-a130-1c890e9ab547
Yang, Qingda
d3368393-3ed9-4606-bfe7-bd2d5a8cdc94
Sinclair, Ian
6005f6c1-f478-434e-a52d-d310c18ade0d
Spearing, Simon
9e56a7b3-e0e8-47b1-a6b4-db676ed3c17a
Borstnar, Gregor
d391eccc-0f99-473c-b7ba-e58f8bb952b4
Mavrogordato, Mark
f3e0879b-118a-463a-a130-1c890e9ab547
Yang, Qingda
d3368393-3ed9-4606-bfe7-bd2d5a8cdc94
Sinclair, Ian
6005f6c1-f478-434e-a52d-d310c18ade0d
Spearing, Simon
9e56a7b3-e0e8-47b1-a6b4-db676ed3c17a

Borstnar, Gregor, Mavrogordato, Mark, Yang, Qingda, Sinclair, Ian and Spearing, Simon (2016) Crack path simulation in a particle-toughened interlayer within a polymer composite laminate. Composites Science and Technology, 133, 89-96. (doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2016.07.024).

Record type: Article

Abstract

With recent advances in computational resources and the development of arbitrary cracking methods, such as the Augmented Finite Element Method (A-FEM), more complex simulations can now be represented featuring multiple interacting cracks. It has been established that Mode I crack propagation in particle-toughened interlayers within some toughened Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates involves a discontinuous process zone, rather than a distinct crack tip. This results from multiple cracks forming ahead of the main crack that subsequently coalesce, leaving behind bridging ligaments that may then provide traction across the crack flanks. An idealised two-dimensional A-FEM model is presented in this work, which represents the ‘particles’ as one-dimensional cohesive regions. The model shows that variables such as particle spacing, distribution, strength and toughness, and fibre interface strength can be tailored in order to maintain the crack path within the interlayer. This competition between crack paths is important, as a reduction in composite toughness is reported when the crack path migrates to the fibre interface. The simulations are complemented by time-resolved Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography (SRCT) data, which identify the chronology of the damage processes, along with the effects of particle distribution on the crack path and the formation of bridging ligaments.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 24 July 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 July 2016
Published date: 14 September 2016
Organisations: Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 398582
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/398582
ISSN: 0266-3538
PURE UUID: 3f58cea9-474d-4e8c-bdd1-5616de9b3d66
ORCID for Simon Spearing: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3059-2014

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Date deposited: 18 Aug 2016 10:27
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:46

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Contributors

Author: Gregor Borstnar
Author: Qingda Yang
Author: Ian Sinclair
Author: Simon Spearing ORCID iD

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