Damage Mechanisms in Cross‐Ply Fiber‐Reinforced Composite Laminates

Abstract

The fracture process of composite laminates subjected to static or fatigue in‐plane loading involves a sequential accumulation of intra‐ and interlaminar damage, in the form of matrix cracking and crack‐induced delamination, before catastrophic failure. Matrix cracking parallel to the fibers in the off‐axis plies is the first damage mode observed. It triggers development of other harmful resin‐dominated modes such as delaminations. The present article reviews experimental and theoretical studies into the damage mechanisms in cross‐ply composite laminates within the framework of damage micromechanics and discusses the effect of intra‐ and interlaminar damage on the behavior and mechanical properties of laminates, including the work of the authors on modeling matrix cracking and crack‐induced delaminations.