In situ tomographic investigation of damage development in ±45° carbon fibre reinforced laminates

Abstract

Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy laminates deformed in shear during tensile testing were studied in situ using synchrotron X-ray computed tomography. The deformation and damage mechanisms were evaluated as a function of strain. In particular, the evolution of matrix cracking, interply delamination and fibre rotation was obtained from the tomographies. The investigation provides new insights about the complex interaction between the different damage mechanisms as a function of the applied strain. Quantification of the evolution of the damage mechanisms is presented.

Keywords:

• Carbon fibre reinforced polymer
• Damage evolution
• X-ray tomography
• In situ tensile test

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank European Synchrotron Radiation Facility for the provision of beamtime (MA560). Dr A. Rhys Williams is acknowledged for proof-reading the manuscript.