Browsing by Author "Biruk Hussen"

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    Investigation on the Intralaminar Fracture Toughness of Woven Sisal/Epoxy Composite: Effect of Glass Fiber Hybridization
    (Addis Ababa University, 2024-03) Biruk Hussen; Mulugeta Habtemariam (PhD)
    A robust and safe design of composite structures for load bearing applications requires the knowledge of their damage tolerance and crack resistance capabilities. To study the effect of glass fiber hybridization on the intralaminar fracture toughness of woven sisal/epoxy composite, tensile mode-I intralaminar fracture toughness experimental tests were carried out on doubly-tapered compact tension (2TCT) specimens prepared from pure sisal, two hybrids of sisal and glass, and pure glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites under displacement control. A data reduction technique recommended for composite laminates based on the finite element analysis (FEA) was utilized. Load-displacement responses were obtained, fracture toughness values based on critical energy release rate (𝐺𝐼𝐶) were evaluated, and resistance curves (R-curves) were plotted for each group of composite laminates and compared to examine the hybridization effect. The fractography was also discussed. The results showed that interply hybridization of woven sisal fibers with woven glass fibers in an epoxy matrix resulted in a considerable improvement of intralaminar fracture toughness values. The hybrid laminates showed an intermediate fracture behavior among their monolithic counterparts. The critical energy release rate (𝐺𝐼𝐶) values of the pure sisal, two hybrids of sisal and glass, and pure glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites were found to be 16.32, 25.06, 27.64, and 39.62 𝑘𝐽/𝑚2, respectively. The results of the research provide an experimental data, which can be used for the safe designing of energy absorbing and other low to medium load bearing structural components.