Abstract
Matrix cracking behavior in thermally-cycled interlaminar-toughened CFRP cross-ply laminates under static tensile loading is investigated experimentally. Tensile tests are performed after thermal cycling between -70℃ and 150℃. Transverse matrix crack density is measured as a function of the laminate strain. The effect of the number of thermal cycles on matrix cracking is observed experimentally. The experimental results are compared with analytical predictions based on a two-dimensional elastic analysis considering the effect of thermal residual stresses. It is found that the effect of thermal cycles on matrix crack behavior can be characterized as change in the critical values for transverse cracking.
