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Transverse Crack Initiation in Thin-Ply Laminates Subjected to Tensile Loading at Low and Cryogenic Temperatures

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Mechanics of Composite Materials Aims and scope

Laminates with ultra-thin plies is a promising new development for polymeric composite materials expected to provide superior resistance to intralaminar crack propagation. The ply thickness effect on the crack initiation stress that according to some theoretical studies on fiber/matrix debonding does not depend on the ply thickness was investigated. Ultra-thin ply carbon fiber/epoxy cross-ply laminates subjected to tensile loading at room, –50, and –150°C temperatures relevant for cryogenic fuel storage, aeronautical, and aerospace applications were studied. The stochastic nature of the crack initiation stress in the 90°-plies was analyzed using Weibull strength distribution. The results obtained show delayed transverse crack initiation only in the thinnest plies with a clear trend that the scale parameter is much larger. This thickness effect on initiation is different than that for crack propagation which is observable in much larger ply thickness range. Regarding crack propagation, it was found that in most cases even at very high applied strain levels (1.5%) only a few transverse cracks have propagated from the specimen edges to its middle.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the European Regional Development Fund within the Activity 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Aid” of the Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 “To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” (No.1.1.1.2/VIAA/3/19/408). The authors would also like to acknowledge research project “Cryogenic Hypersonic Advanced Tank Technologies (CHATT)” coordinated by DLR-SART and funded by the EU within the 7th Framework Programme Theme 7 Transport. Experimental work of Mr. Hugo Scaglia is greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Mechanics of Materials, Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia

    A. Pupurs & J. Varna

  2. Division of Engineering Materials, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    M. S. Loukil

  3. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Piteå, Sweden

    M. S. Loukil, E. Marklund & D. Mattsson

  4. Polymeric Composites Group, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden

    J. Varna

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  1. A. Pupurs
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Correspondence to A. Pupurs.

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Pupurs, A., Loukil, M.S., Marklund, E. et al. Transverse Crack Initiation in Thin-Ply Laminates Subjected to Tensile Loading at Low and Cryogenic Temperatures. Mech Compos Mater 59, 1049–1064 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11029-023-10156-0

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