Mode III interlaminar fracture behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer woven laminates at 293 to 4 K

This paper deals with mode III delamination properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer woven laminates at room temperature (293 K), liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), gas helium temperature (20 K), and liquid helium temperature (4 K). In order to evaluate these properties, the Split Cantilever Beam (SCB) fracture test is performed. The load is applied to a test specimen through a set of identical grips in order to reduce (in some degree) the mode II loading at the free edges. A three-dimensional finite element analysis is used to study the stress and strain state of the specimens and to interpret the experimental measurements. The strain energy release rate is calculated by using the virtual crack closure technique. It is found that the strain energy release rate is dominated by the mode III component. A non-uniform distribution of the strain energy release rate along the delamination front is obtained with mode III component having maximum at the center of the delamination front, while mode II component increases towards the free edges. The strain energy release rate is also determined using the crack closure technique. A finite element analysis is also carried out to calculate the stress intensity factors for the SCB specimens. The fracture surfaces are examined by scanning electron microscopy to identify the fracture mechanisms. The most important conclusion from the present study is that at temperature lowering from 293 to 20 K the mode III fracture toughness increases, further cooling to 4 K produces a toughness decrease.