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Tensile failure mechanisms in carbon fibre reinforced plastics

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Abstract

Tensile failure mechanisms in type I carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy resin have been studied by examining the modes of failure of cured and semi-cured CFRP and of fibre bundle specimens. The rigid matrix in the cured material modified the appearance of the fractured specimen but by detecting the acoustic emission generated during loading the basic fibre bundle behaviour was found to exert a major influence on fracture. Microscopic examination of fractured CFRP specimens has revealed that consecutive fibre failure may be restricted to sub-bundles as a result of shearing between these sub-bundles, and that the material is weakened by a number of internal failures that are not necessarily connected. Ultimate failure seems to be statistically determined and it is a characteristic of the material that some scatter in the strength of CFRP must be expected.

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Author notes

  1. M. Fuwa

    Present address: Mitsubishi Petrochemical Company, Ibarati, Japan

  2. A. R. Bunsell

    Present address: Centre des Matériaux, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, Carbeille, Essonnes, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK

    M. Fuwa, A. R. Bunsell & B. Harris

Authors
  1. M. Fuwa
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  2. A. R. Bunsell
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  3. B. Harris
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Fuwa, M., Bunsell, A.R. & Harris, B. Tensile failure mechanisms in carbon fibre reinforced plastics. J Mater Sci 10, 2062–2070 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00557484

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00557484

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