Structural fuses in composite structures: engineered crack paths in carbon fibre-reinforced polymers
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We designed engineered carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) solutions for realising structural fuses in real CFRP composite components. We developed various concepts of engineered crack paths containing micro-cut patterns (MCPs) aiming to investigate how we can engage and trigger various damage propagation mechanisms both in-plane and through-the-thickness. To this end, we chose ultra-thin CFRP prepregs and engraved various designed MCPs/crack path combinations on them during layup with the help of a laser micro-machining system. Then, we manufactured CFRP specimens containing engineered crack paths and characterised them under a 3-point bending (3PB) test to evaluate their response in an out-of-plane loading scenario. We investigated various design parameters of the developed MCPs through 9 studies to understand how various parameters determine the damage propagation mechanisms and what effect they have on fracture properties. Following this, we performed fractography analysis to observe the failure mechanisms triggered by the implemented MCPs/crack path combinations in the tested specimens. The results demonstrate that carefully designed MCPs can tailor the failure load and energy dissipation, and moreover, provide significant control over the fracture locus and path.
Date Issued
2024-10
Date Acceptance
2024-06-03
Citation
Composites Part B: Engineering, 2024, 285
ISSN
0961-9526
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Composites Part B: Engineering
Volume
285
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2024.111604
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
111604
Date Publish Online
2024-06-12