Mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture behavior of glass woven fabric composites

Abstract

Mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture behavior was investigated on laminated composites reinforced with plain glass woven fabrics that were treated with different concentrations of silane. In the mode I fracture, the low silane concentration specimen showed higher fracture toughness than the high silane concentration specimen. This is due to the occurrence of the micro crack in the fiber strands. In the low silane concentration specimen, larger damage zone due to the micro crack was formed ahead of the crack tip. In the mode II fracture, on the contrary, the fracture toughness increased with increasing silane concentration, and no significant damage zone for the fracture toughness was formed ahead of the crack tip.