Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7889433 | Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing | 2018 | 22 Pages |
Abstract
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre reinforced composites find extensive use in impact protection applications. When loaded in out-of-plane (through thickness) compression, UHWMPE laminates composed of a typical cross-ply lay-up (an inter-ply angle of θ = 90°) are known to exhibit fibre tensile rupture via a shear-lag mechanism. This study addresses the effect of inter-ply angle (θ = 18-90°) on the compressive response of UHMWPE laminates and shows they may fail by this indirect tension mechanism. The shear-lag length increases as θ is reduced, which reduces the compressive strength at small sample sizes. A previous analytical model to predict compressive failure by this mechanism is generalised for laminates with non-orthogonal but constant inter-ply angles. The predictions capture the two key experimental observations which are dependent on inter-ply angle and sample size: the transition from ply shear failure to indirect fibre tensile rupture and the compressive strength.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Science
Ceramics and Composites
Authors
M.R. O'Masta, B.P. Russell, W. Ronan,