Transverse Cracking and Stiffness Reduction in Cross Ply Laminates of Different Matrix Toughness

Abstract
Cross ply laminates of (02,902)s configuration having AS4 graphite fibers in three epoxy resins of different toughness: 3501-6, Tactix® 556 and Tactix® 695, have been tested to determine their transverse cracking behavior and the associated mechanical response under longitudinal tensile loading. The test data are analyzed using Talreja's con tinuum damage model [1-3]. The material constants needed in the model to predict the in- plane stiffness changes are determined. The measured Poisson's ratio, which shows signifi cant change, is compared with the prediction of the model. The constants for the three materials are found to increase with the increase in their fracture toughness.

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