Fatigue Crack Growth in Glass Mat Reinforced Plastics

Abstract

A study of fatigue crack growth in glass mat reinforced polyester laminate was conducted by means of a compliance method using TDCB specimens for ΔK-controlled tests.
The relationship between the fatigue crack growth rate and the stress intensity factor range for the specimens without moisture was shown by a straight line in logarithmic representation. The slope of the line was smaller than for the specimens with a little moisture and very much larger than those for metals or polymeric materials. The effect of moisture on the relationship was discussed based on the macroscopic observation of the whitening process due to debonding between fibers and resin at fatigue crack tips.