Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Hybrid Composites with Non-Woven Tissue

Abstract

Interlaminar fracture behavior of hybrid composites with non-woven carbon tissue has been investigated under mode I (DCB) and mode II (ENF) loading condition. Hybrid composites are made by inserting non-woven tissue between prepreg layers. Two kinds of specimens were prepared from [0]_<24> and [0_<12>/0_<12>]. Where, the symbol "/" means that non-woven carbon tissue is located at 0/0 mid-plane of the specimen. The initial interlaminar crack was located to mid-plane of the specimen. Interlaminar fracture toughness (G_<IC>, G_<IIC>) of hybrid composites is compared with those of CFRP. The fracture surfaces of the specimens were observed by SEM, and the fracture mechanism was discussed. The unidirectional laminates, which are made by inserting non-woven carbon tissue between layers, seem to be effective to improve the interlaminar fracture toughness.