Fracture Testing of Injection-Molded Glass and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics

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Abstract
A study is reported of the application of linear elastic fracture toughness testing techniques to short glass and carbon fiber-reinforced injection-molded thermoplastics. The materials were typical of high-temperature engineering thermoplastics and included polycarbonate, polysulfone, nylon 6/6, polyphenylene sulfide, and poly-(amide-imide). Tests were run on specimens of various sizes and shapes with machined notches and fatigue cracks. Results are reported for modes of crack growth, applicability of linear elastic fracture mechanics, and test peculiarities. Attempts to correlate the matrix toughness and fiber length with composite toughness are discussed.