Title: Numerical simulation of elastic-plastic interlaminar crack propagation in interlayer-toughened composite materials

Authors: D. Stevanovic, S. Kalyanasundaram, A. Lowe, P.-Y. Ben Jar

Addresses: Department of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada. Department of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Department of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia

Abstract: A numerical analysis was conducted, using previously obtained experimental results, to establish basic toughening mechanisms and fracture behaviour of an interlayer-toughened composite material, containing particulate modified toughened layers. The aim of the analysis was to examine the influence of the particles on the plastic zone size that develops in front of the crack tip, and the interaction between the particles and the crack tip. Good agreement with the experimental data was found.

Keywords: crack propagation; interlayer; plastic zone; VE/ABS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2002.001302

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2002 Vol.17 No.1/2, pp.99-107

Published online: 02 Jul 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article