Dynamic fracture of glass fiber-reinforced ductile polymer matrix composites and loading rate effect

Jinling Gao, Nesredin Kedir, Julio A. Hernandez, Jian Gao, Todd Horn, Garam Kim, Kamel Fezzaa, Tyler N. Tallman, Giuseppe Palmese, Ronald Sterkenburg, Weinong Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The dynamic fracture of S-2 glass fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMCs) was investigated in this study. The matrix ductility was improved by a recently developed network topology modification technique via mixing partially reacted substructures (mPRS). The composite material was manufactured and characterized by micro-CT scanning and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dynamic single-edge notched bending (d-SENB) experiments were performed on the composites by using a modified split-Hopkinson pressure bar. Each specimen's fracture process was visualized by ultrafast X-ray imaging. Such in-situ radiography enabled identifying the damage initiation below 50-μm scale and inspecting its propagation through the internal structures of opaque composites, thereby accurately quantifying the composites' mechanical properties. Furthermore, the identical d-SENB experiments were designed and the digital image correlation (DIC) was employed to monitor the stress wave propagation on the composite specimens. The force and deflection measurements were modified and correlated to the physical damage processes. Besides, quasi-static SENB experiments were conducted to identify the loading rate effects on the composites' fracture behaviors. The force and deflection history, bending stiffness, energy dissipation, and fracture toughness at different loading rates were quantified and compared. Finally, post-fracture analysis by micro-CT scanning and SEM provided physical observations on the variation of the fracture morphology at different loading rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number109754
JournalComposites Part B: Engineering
Volume235
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2022
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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