Selective ply-level hybridisation for improved notched response of composite laminates

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Furtado, C (Author) FEUP; Arteiro, A (Author) FEUP; Catalanotti, G (Author) Other; Xavier, J (Author) Other; Camanho, PP (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Composite Structures

Vol. 145

Pages: 1-14

ISSN: 0263-8223

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 40 Citations

Scopus - 46 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-87D

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.02.050

Abstract (EN): This work presents an experimental study on the effect of ply-level hybridisation on the tensile unnotched and notched response of composite laminates. In a first assessment, notched tests were performed on laminates with nominal ply thicknesses between 0.03 mm and 0.30 mm. From the understanding of the effect of ply thickness on the damage mechanisms that govern the notched response of laminates, the concept of ply-level hybridisation is introduced, which consists in combining plies of different grades. A uniform combination of thin and conventional plies resulted in a hybrid laminate with intermediate notched response. Selective hybridisation, where thin off-axis plies are combined with thicker 0 degrees plies, resulted in a globally enhanced notched behaviour without compromising the unnotched and fatigue responses. This work clearly shows how ply-level hybridisation, when designed to trigger specific damage mechanisms, can be used to improve the notched response of composite laminates.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14