Delamination growth behavior in carbon fiber reinforced plastic angle ply laminates under compressive fatigue loads

Delamination fatigue growth experiments are carried out on angle ply T700/TDE85 Graphite/Epoxy laminates under compressive fatigue loads. Delamination growth is monitored in real time during fatigue test. Three-dimensional finite element methods are used to calculate strain energy release rate G by standard ABAQUS procedures. Components of strain energy release rate as the delamination grows are discussed. In particular, the delamination growth rate da/dN and the stabilized delamination length are systematically investigated in order to define the effect of loading level, delamination size, and delamination position on delamination growth behavior under compressive fatigue loads. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy techniques are used to identify the fatigue delamination growth mechanisms and to assess the delamination growth behavior.