Analysis of Mode I Interlaminar Fracture and Damage Behavior of GFRP Woven Laminates at Cryogenic Temperatures

Abstract

The interlaminar fracture and damage behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) woven laminates at cryogenic temperatures has been investigated theoretically and numerically. The corrected beam theory and finite element analysis (FEA) have been used to calculate the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (IFT) of double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens at room temperature, liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), and liquid helium temperature (4 K). The effect of temperature on the Mode I IFT was investigated. A FEA coupled with damage was also employed to study the damage distributions within the specimen and to examine the effect of damage on the Mode I energy release rate. The corrected beam theory or FEA shows good agreement with the previous experimental compliance of the DCB specimen. The numerical results show that damage causes a decrease in the energy release rate. This work is the first application of failure criteria (Hoffman criterion and maximum strain criterion) to the analysis of the cryogenic behavior of woven laminate DCB specimens.

Characterization and Modeling of Fracture and Damage Behavior of Notched Woven Fabric GFRP Laminates under Three-point Bending at Cryogenic Temperatures

“…However, the J C values for the SENB specimens at 77 K were independent of specimen size. For the same specimen size, the J C values for the SENB and CT specimens increased between RT and 77 K, but they decreased at 4 K. This is similar to the findings reported by Sumikawa et al [21]. The J C values for the SENB specimen were lower than those for the CT specimen.…”

A Review of the Polymer for Cryogenic Application: Methods, Mechanisms and Perspectives

“…While, for reusable launch vehicles, the cryogenic performance of polymer-based composites under thermal and mechanical cyclic load is one of the most critical issue. Shindo's research group has studied the Delamination growth mechanisms and fatigue behavior of fiber reinforced polymer based woven composites under Mode I [19], Mode II [20], Mode III [21] and mixed-mode I/II [22] fatigue loadings at 77 K and 4 K. The fatigue delamination growth rates of fiber reinforced polymer-based woven composites at 77 K and 4 K were lower than those at room temperature. Their interesting and meaningful work can lay a foundation for the design and application of polymer-based composites in cryogenic environment.…”

Measurement of Magnetic Flux Density Changes in Mode I Interlaminar Fracture in Magnetostrictive Fiber–Embedded Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

“…For testing in extreme environments, the interlaminar Mode I fracture behavior of the composite laminates was investigated via DCB testing at high temperatures of 232 • C, 288 • C, and 343 • C [56]. The corrected beam theory and FEA coupled with damage were used at liquid-nitrogen temperature (77 K) and liquid-helium temperature (4 K), and the G IC of the GFRP woven laminates was discussed [57].…”