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At least 145 records · Page 8

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NASA NTRS1984

Simplified composite micromechanics equations for strength, fracture toughness and environmental effects

A unified set of composite micromechanics equations of simple form is summarized and described. This unified set includes composite micromechanics equations for predicting: (1) ply in-plane uniaxial strengths; (2) through-the-thickness strength (interlaminar and flexural); (3) in-plane fracture toughness; (4) in-plane impact resistance; and (5) through-the-thickness (interlaminar and flexural) impact resistance. Equations are also included for predicting the hygrothermal effects on strength, fracture toughness and impact resistance. Several numerical examples are worked out to illustrate the ease of use of the various composite micromechanics equations.

Chamis, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

On the use of the three point bend and compact tension specimens to measure fracture toughness of composite laminates

The influence of specimen thickness on the fracture toughness of two laminates and three specimen geometries was investigated. As thickness increased the toughness decreased and approached an asymptotic value that was dependent upon the type of laminate but was practically independent of specimen geometry. Enhanced X-ray photographs and removal of an outside ply revealed that most of the delaminations were surface effects.

Harris, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A comparison of several methods of calculating fracture toughness from composite laminate test data

Critical fracture toughness was determined by two different techniques for graphite/epoxy laminates of three stacking sequences and several thicknesses. Critical fracture toughness was determined by a finite element stress analysis of a center-cracked tension specimen which yielded the stress intensity factor as a function of specimen thickness and applied load. As an alternative approach the critical strain energy release rate was determined from the compliance calibration technique. Test results from both procedures are compared and discussed.

Harris, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Determination of interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture mode dependence of composites using the edge delamination test

Edge delamination testing has been conducted in order to determine the mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness of unnotched (+, -35/0/90)s and (0/+, -35/90)s laminates with graphite fibers and epoxy matrices, with or without elastomer additives. Although the two stacking sequences were chosen so that the total strain energy release rates were equal, the percentages of crack opening and shear mode energy release rates were found to vary widely between the layups. Plots of interlaminar fracture toughness as a function of crack opening energy release rate percentage have been drawn to generate delamination failure criteria which reflect the observed fracture mode dependence.

Obrien, T. K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Fracture toughness of hot-pressed beryllium

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the fracture toughness, sustained-load flaw growth, and fatigue-crack propagation resistance of S200E hot-pressed beryllium at room temperature. It also reviews the literature pertaining to the influence of various factors on the fracture toughness of hot-pressed beryllium determined using fatigue-cracked specimens.

Lemon, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Increasing the Cryogenic Toughness of Steels

Grain-refining heat treatments increase toughness without substantial strength loss. Five alloys selected for study, all at or near technological limit. Results showed clearly grain sizes of these alloys refined by such heat treatments and grain refinement results in large improvement in toughness without substantial loss in strength. Best improvements seen in HP-9-4-20 Steel, at low-strength end of technological limit, and in Maraging 200, at high-strength end. These alloys, in grain refined condition, considered for model applications in high-Reynolds-number cryogenic wind tunnels.

Rush, H. F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Fractured toughness of Si3N4 measured with short bar chevron-notched specimens

The short bar chevron-notched specimen is used to measure the plane strain fracture toughness of hot pressed Si3N4. Specimen proportions and chevron-notch angle are varied, thereby varying the amount of crack extension to maximum load (upon which K sub IC is based). The measured toughness (4.68 + or - 0.19 MNm to the 3/2 power) is independent of these variations, inferring that the material has a flat crack growth resistance curve.

Salem, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Fracture toughness tests on plasma-sprayed coatings

Fracture toughness measurements have been performed on plasma-sprayed coatings. The intrinsic fracture toughness of plasma-sprayed coatings may be ascertained by means of a double cantilever beam (DCB) test. Emphasis is placed on calibration of the specimen geometry. Representative values for alumina coatings are presented.

Berndt, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Impact resistance and interlaminar fracture toughness of through-the-thickness reinforced graphite/epoxy

Five through-the-thickness stitch configurations are analyzed to determine the effect of impact resistance and interlaminar fracture toughness on T3000/3501-6 graphite/epoxy. The test specimens were stitched with either polyester or Kevlar yarns and with various stitch parameters. Tension and compression mechanical, impact and compression-after-impact, and double cantilever beam tests were conducted. It is observed that the stitched laminates have tension and compression strengths 20-25 percent lower than the strengths of unstitched laminates, the tension strength of stitched laminates is reduced with increasing number of stitches, and the compression strength increases as the number of stitches are increased. The impact data reveal that the Kevlar stitched laminates have less damage than unstitched laminates; the most effective configuration for suppressing impact damage and improving interlaminar fracture toughness consists of Kevlar yarns 1/4 inch apart with eight stitches per inch. The mode 1 critical strain energy release rate for the 1/4 inch Kevlar eight stitch laminate was calculated as 30 times higher than that of the unstitched.

Dexter, H. B.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Preliminary design of cracked-lap shear specimen thickness for determination of interlaminar fracture toughness

This paper outlines a technique for preliminary sizing of the adherends for cracked-lap-shear specimen to assure delamination instead of adherend failure. The cracked-lap-shear specimen is a popular specimen used for determination of mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness of composites. Thin adherends, on the order of three plies thick, have been used successfully in the past for determination of fracture toughness of rather brittle matrix systems. However, the tougher matrices now being considered for composite applications require thicker adherends in order to get composite delamination rather than adherend failure. The optimum thickness is obtained on the basis that the critical value of the strain energy release rate is reached at the delamination front before the ultimate strength is reached in the adherend. By proper design the specimen would delaminate and not use excessive material or load. A simple analysis for the optimum adherend thickness and experimental verification are included.

Mangalgiri, P. D.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Tough composite materials: Recent developments

The present volume broadly considers topics in composite fracture toughness and impact behavior characterization, composite system constituent properties and their interrelationships, and matrix systems' synthesis and characterization. Attention is given to the characterization of interlaminar crack growth in composites by means of the double cantilever beam specimen, the characterization of delamination resistance in toughened resin composites, the effect of impact damage and open holes on the compressive strength of tough resin/high strain fiber laminates, the effect of matrix and fiber properties on compression failure mechanisms and impact resistance, the relation of toughened neat resin properties to advanced composite mechanical properties, and constituent and composite properties' relationships in thermosetting matrices. Also treated are the effect of cross-link density on the toughening mechanism of elastomer-modified epoxies, the chemistry of fiber/resin interfaces, novel carbon fibers and their properties, the development of a heterogeneous laminating resin, solvent-resistant thermoplastics, NASA Lewis research in advanced composites, and opportunities for the application of composites in commercial aircraft transport structures.

Vosteen, L. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Dynamic fracture toughness

Dynamic fracture toughness versus crack velocity relations of Homalite-100, polycarbonate, hardened 4340 steel and reaction bonded silicon nitride are reviewed and discrepancies with published data and their probable causes are discussed. Data scatter in published data are attributed in part to the observed fluctuations in crack velocities. The results reaffirmed our previous conclusion that the dynamic fracture toughness versus crack velocity relation is specimen dependent and that the dynamic arrest stress intensity factor is not a unique material property.

Kobayashi, A. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Loading rate effect on interlaminar fracture toughness of a thermoplastic composite

A study was undertaken to investigate the loading rate effect on delamination fracture initiation toughness of a thermoplastic composite. For this purpose, double cantilever beam specimens of graphite/PEEK were tested in a displacement controlled mode using an Instron tensile test machine. Specimens were loaded at various crosshead speeds ranging from 0.05 cm/min to 100 cm/min. The interlaminar fracture toughness was found to decrease with increasing loading rate, and this decrease was more than one hundred percent over the five decades of loading rate employed.

Mall, S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Fracture toughness of Si3N4 measured with short bar chevron-notched specimens

The short bar chevron-notched specimen is used to measure the plane strain fracture toughness of hot pressed Si3N4. Specimen proportions and chevron-notch angle are varied, thereby varying the amount of crack extension to maximum load (upon which K sub IC is based). The measured toughness (4.68 + or 0.19 MNm to the 3/2 power) is independent of these variations, inferring that the material has a flat crack growth resistance curve.

Salem, Jonathan A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

PMR Composites Of Increased Toughness

Toughness increased without sacrificing processability or hot strength. Resin composition provides best overall balance of composite toughness and retention of mechanical properties at 600 degree F (316 degree C) with processability obtained by substituting 20 mole percent of diamine used in PMR-15 resins with diamine containing twice number of flexible phenyl connecting groups.

Vannucci, Raymond D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Interlaminar fracture toughness of thermoplastic composites

Edge delamination tension and double cantilever beam tests were used to characterize the interlaminar fracture toughness of continuous graphite-fiber composites made from experimental thermoplastic polyimides and a model thermoplastic. Residual thermal stresses, known to be significant in materials processed at high temperatures, were included in the edge delamination calculations. In the model thermoplastic system (polycarbonate matrix), surface properties of the graphite fiber were shown to be significant. Critical strain energy release rates for two different fibers having similar nominal tensile properties differed by 30 to 60 percent. The reason for the difference is not clear. Interlaminar toughness values for the thermoplastic polyimide composites (LARC-TPI and polyimidesulfone) were 3 to 4 in-lb/sq in. Scanning electron micrographs of the EDT fracture surfaces suggest poor fiber/matrix bonding. Residual thermal stresses account for up to 32 percent of the strain energy release in composites made from these high-temperature resins.

Hinkley, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Rate effects on delamination fracture toughness of graphite/epoxy composites

The effects of loading rate on interlaminar fracture toughness were investigated for two graphite/epoxy materials, one with a brittle matrix and the other with a toughened one. Mode I delamination fracture toughness was studied by means of uniform-width, width-tapered, and height-tapered double cantilever beam specimens. The specimens were loaded at various crosshead rates corresponding to crack extension rates up to 26 m/s. It was found that for the brittle-matrix composite the energy release rate increases up to a certain crack velocity and thereafter it decreases. In the case of the toughened-matrix composite the energy release rate decreases monotonically with increasing crack velocity.

Daniel, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Fracture toughness computational simulation of general delaminations in fiber composites

A procedure is described to computationally simulate composite laminate fracture toughness in terms of strain energy release rate (SERR). It is also used to evaluate the degradation in laminate structural integrity in terms of displacements, loss in stiffness, loss in vibration frequencies and loss in buckling resistance. Specific laminates are selected for detail studies in order to demonstrate the generality of the procedure. These laminates had center delaminations, off-center delaminations, and pocket delaminations (center and off-center) at the free-edge and center delaminations at the interior. The laminates had two different thicknesses and were made from three different materials. The results obtained are presented in graphical form to illustrate the effects of delamination on the laminate structural integrity and on the laminate strain energy release rate (composite fracture toughness).

Murthy, P. L. N.↗