Mode-I fracture crack growth behaviors of 3-D angle interlock woven composites under low-velocity wedge-loaded impact

We report Mode-I low-velocity impact fracture behaviors of 3-D angle interlock woven carbon fiber/epoxy composites. The wedge-loaded compact tension (WLCT) specimen was used to test Mode-I fracture behaviors. The crack initiation and propagation were photographed with a high speed camera. We found that the crack initiated from resin-rich zone and then propagated along yarn / resin interface. The crack propagation direction changed along the crimped yarn orientations. A finite element analysis (FEA) model was established to simulate internal crack propagation behaviors. The FEA results indicated that the crack propagation path depends on the weaving architecture of the 3-D woven composites.

Automated summary

Experimental and finite element analysis were conducted to study the fracture behaviors and crack propagation path of 3-D angle interlock woven carbon fiber/epoxy composites under low-velocity impact. It was found that the crack propagated along the yarn/resin interface and was influenced by the crimped yarn orientations. The FEA results showed that the crack propagation path depended on the weaving architecture of the 3-D woven composites.