Staggered ply discontinuities for tailoring the tensile behavior of hybrid carbon fiber/self-reinforced polypropylene composites: A study of pattern parameters. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Jun; Aslani, Arya; Swolfs, Yentl; Bullegas, Gianmaria; Pinho, Silvestre T.; Lomov, Stepan V.; Gorbatikh, Larissa
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 125(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: A. Discontinuous reinforcement -- A. Hybrid -- B. Delamination -- B. Fracture; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.105551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: This work explores the potential of discontinuities combined with hybridization in controlling the failure mechanisms of composite materials. Laser cuts, termed as discontinuities, with a predefined staggered pattern were introduced into the carbon layer of hybrid carbon fiber (CF)/self-reinforced polypropylene (SRPP) composites. Three geometrical parameters were used to define the staggered pattern: cut fraction, cut length and step length. The effects of these three parameters on the failure mechanisms of the hybrid CF/SRPP composites under tensile loading were investigated. The three geometrical parameters can be successfully used to: (1) trigger more diffused damage; (2) delay onset of carbon layer fracture; and (3) promote a transition between fiber bundle pull-out and fiber bundle fracture. Comparing to hybrids with continuous fibers, hybrids with the staggered ply discontinuities exhibited a rich diversity of failure mechanisms. The enrichment of failure mechanisms is beneficial for expanding the design space for tailoring the mechanical response of interlayer hybrid composites.