Fracture Micromechanisms of Fibre-Metal Laminates: In-Situ SEM Observations

• Published in: Journal of composite materials 2002-02, Vol.36 (4), p.387-400
• Main Authors: Castrodeza, E. M., Bastian, F. L., Yawny, A., Ipiña, J. E.Perez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Applied sciences; Composite materials; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Experiments; Fibers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fracture mechanics, fatigue and cracks; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hydraulics; Metals; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Simulation; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers; Testing
• ISSN: 0021-9983; 1530-793X
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998302036004200

The monotonic fracture micromechanisms of an aramid-aluminum laminate were studied using very small single edge bend specimens, SE(B) tested in a small-instrumented testing machine inside a scanning electron microscope. Thefracture process was followed by simultaneous observation of the sample and recording the loading variables. The instability fracture toughness was strongly dependent on the fibre-reinforced epoxy layer and the crack-growth in the external aluminum layers, prior to fracture instability, was influenced by the notch acuity. The load versus loadline displacement behaviourand load instabilities were similar to the ones obtained by conventional testing procedures. The technique implemented proved to be a powerful tool to study the fracture micromechanisms of aramid-aluminum laminates or other fibre-metal laminates and to correlate them with the recorded macro events.