The effect of edge interlaminar stresses on the strength of carbon/epoxy laminates of different stacking geometry

Abstract

The effect of edge interlaminar stresses on strength of carbon/epoxy laminates of different stacking geometry: cross-ply, quasi-isotropic and angle-ply laminates with additional 0° and 90° ply was studied. Coupons with two widths of laminates with an inverse stacking sequence were tested in static tensile tests. The effect of edge interlaminar stresses on strength was studied, by comparing the values of the tensile strength of laminate coupons of the same width with an inverse stacking sequence, as well as, by comparing the values of the tensile strength of the same lay-up laminate coupons but of different widths. The edge effects were analysed by observing failure, identifying the interlayer where axial cracks at the free edge were initiated or inhibited and by computing interlaminar stresses and strains in the interlayer near the free edge of the coupon. The established edge effect was first correlated to the sign of the normal edge interlaminar stress. The extent of the edge effect was then successfully correlated to the edge interlaminar normal stress normalized to the size of the edge boundary region in which the stress appeared.