Effect of similar and dissimilar interface layers on delamination in hybrid plain woven glass/carbon epoxy laminated composite double cantilever beam under Mode-I loading

Abstract

Effect of similar and dissimilar interface layers on delamination in hybrid plain woven glass/carbon epoxy laminated composite double cantilever beam under Mode-I loading has been investigated experimentally and analytically. Glass-glass, glass-carbon interface layers in three different configurations of hybrid plain woven glass/carbon epoxy laminated composites were fabricated. Valvo's mode partition method from the literature is utilised to compute individual modal contributions and total fracture toughness of the hybrid composite laminates. Mode-I fracture toughness contribution is compared with standard data reduction schemes of ASTM D5528-13. The comparison reveals that Valvo's mode partition method considers mode-mixity and provides conservative results. The Valvo's mode partition does not require any correction factors including curve fitting, it provides a straightforward method for evaluating fracture toughness as they are based on the mechanics of composite materials. The comparison of R-curves of hybrid configurations reveal that the insertion of carbon with glass at the interface of symmetric hybrid configuration enhances initial fracture toughness and stabilises whereas, with the change in layer configuration of anyone arm of the double-cantilever beam, the crack growth trend is also affected irrespective of same interface layers. The fractography analysis of delamination surfaces reveals that crack propagation through a resin-rich layer creates a rougher fracture surface resulting in higher energy dissipation as compared to crack propagation through resin-rich pockets. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd