Staggered ply discontinuities for tailoring the tensile behavior of hybrid carbon fiber/self-reinforced polypropylene composites: A study of pattern parameters
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This work explores the potential of discontinuities combined with hybridization in controlling the failure mechanisms of composite materials. Laser cuts, termed as discontinuities, with a predefined staggered pattern were introduced into the carbon layer of hybrid carbon fiber (CF)/self-reinforced polypropylene (SRPP) composites. Three geometrical parameters were used to define the staggered pattern: cut fraction, cut length and step length. The effects of these three parameters on the failure mechanisms of the hybrid CF/SRPP composites under tensile loading were investigated. The three geometrical parameters can be successfully used to: (1) trigger more diffused damage; (2) delay onset of carbon layer fracture; and (3) promote a transition between fiber bundle pull-out and fiber bundle fracture. Comparing to hybrids with continuous fibers, hybrids with the staggered ply discontinuities exhibited a rich diversity of failure mechanisms. The enrichment of failure mechanisms is beneficial for expanding the design space for tailoring the mechanical response of interlayer hybrid composites.
Date Issued
2019-10
Date Acceptance
2019-07-19
Citation
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2019, 125, pp.1-13
ISSN
1359-835X
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
13
Journal / Book Title
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume
125
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X19303008?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
EP/M002500/1
Subjects
Materials
0912 Materials Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
0901 Aerospace Engineering
Publication Status
Published online
Article Number
105551
Date Publish Online
2019-07-20