Experimental study on mechanical behavior of laminates at low temperature

A series of tensile tests were conducted to research the mechanical behavior of the glass fiber and the carbon fiber reinforced epoxy laminates at low temperature (77 K). The specimens of laminates contained various stacking sequences (angle-ply) and notch geometry (central and edge notch). The curves of loading vs displacement of cross-head were recorded and the curves of stress-strain were got. The strengths of the various laminates were given too. Using a microscope-CCD imaging system, the growth of damage area was imaged. The concept of the energy dissipation density of laminates was presented and the data of the energy dissipation density for some laminates were got. The results showed that the strength and the energy dissipation density of laminates at 77 K are higher than those at 296 K.