Mode I interlaminar fracture of woven glass/epoxy multidirectional laminates

Mode I Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests were performed on woven glass/epoxy multidirectional laminates. Selected specimen stacking sequences with starter delaminations in θ/−θ and 0/θ interfaces were first evaluated with three-dimensional finite element (FE) models. During the DCB tests, most specimens suffered intraply damage and crack branching to a neighbouring interface. Nevertheless, it was generally possible to measure valid interlaminar critical strain energy release rates, GIc, of initiation from the film and from a mode I precrack. The former were significantly lower than the latter due to steep R-curve effects. GIc values of 0/θ specimens were fairly θ-independent, while θ/−θ specimens exhibited higher GIc from the film. A subsequent FE analysis provided explanations for the interface effect on GIc.