Abstract
The influence of fiber orientation on the crack propagation behavior was studied with single edge notched specimen which were cut from an injection molded plate of thermoplastic polyphenylenesulphitde (PPS) reinforced with 30wt% carbon fibers. Specimens were cut at five angles relative to the molding direction, i.e. θ=0°(MD), 22.5°, 45°, 67.5°, 90°(TD). Fracture mechanics parameters derived based on anisotropic elasticity were used as a crack driving force. Macroscopic crack path was nearly perpendicular to the loading direction for the cases of MD and TD, while inclined for the other angles. For modeIcrack propagation in MD, TD and resin, the crack propagation rate is expressed as a power function of a parameter corresponding to the crack-tip radius, H_IΔG_I, where H_I is a compliance parameter. The crack propagation rate under mixed mode I and II was correlated to the range of the total energy release rate, ΔG_<total> divied by Young's modulus.
