Fracture characterization of woven fabric reinforced thermoplastic composites

The present paper deals with the strain energy release rate of three woven fabric reinforced thermoplastic composites. The interlaminar fracture behavior was studied using the mode 1, double cantilever beam test and the mode II, end notched flexure test, in order to determine the energy required for the initiation and growth of an artificial crack. The materials used were made of two types of glass fiber weave (2/2 Twill, 8H Satin) and a carbon fiber (8H Satin). The matrix was polyetherimide. The delamination energy of these two materials was compared in order to study the effect of weave and reinforcement on mechanical properties. The fracture mechanism was also analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy.