Investigation on the Intralaminar Fracture Toughness of Woven Sisal/Epoxy Composite: Effect of Glass Fiber Hybridization
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Date
2024-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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.
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Keywords
Intralaminar, doubly-tapered compact tension, resistance curve, critical energy release rate, fractography, interply hybridization