Characterization and analysis of the mode I interlaminar fatigue behaviour of thermoplastic composites considering R-curve effects

Journal article (2023)

Authors

I. Leciñana University of Girona, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)
J. Renart University of Girona
A. Turon University of Girona
J. Zurbitu Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)
B.H.A.H. Tijs Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics - Aerospace Engineering , Fokker/GKN Aerospace
Research Group
Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 I. Leciñana, J. Renart, A. Turon, J. Zurbitu, B.H.A.H. Tijs
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109273
More Info
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Aerospace Structures & Materials

Research Group

Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics

Abstract

Through the application of innovative production processes, thermoplastic composites might help the aviation industry become more sustainable. However, there is currently not much experimental understanding on the fatigue behaviour, and validated analysis methodologies on thermoplastic composites are rather limited. In this work, the fatigue onset and propagation interlaminar properties of AS4D/PEKK-FC thermoplastic composite were characterized under mode I loading. Testing costs were reduced by using a multi-fatigue testing rig that allows loading 6 specimens at the same time. The offset in the fatigue crack growth rate curves tested at different severities was explained by the fatigue R-curve effects. The offset was modelled by means of superposed fatigue cohesive laws. Different approaches on how to consider fatigue damage were compared with experimental data, giving an insight on how fatigue damage evolves, and developing a novel modelling strategy based on a robust method for fatigue model parameter identification for fatigue delamination when several failure mechanisms interact.