This paper describes fractographic features observed in aerospace composites failed under tensile loads. Unidirectional Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (UD CFRP) and Unidirectional Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (UD GFRP) composite specimens were fabricated and tested in tension. The morphology of fractured surfaces was studied at various locations to identify failure mechanism and characterist...

Introduction Recent studies have shown that Fibre Bragg Gratings are well suited to studying the mechanical behaviour of composites [1]. A Fibre Bragg Grating is a small segment of optical fibre with a core of germanium doped silica which gives a periodic and permanent perturbation of the refractive index. An FBG acts like a selective wavelength mirror, reflecting a particular wavelength (Fig. ...

The purpose of this paper is to review recent research on the applications of existing non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, especially radio frequency (RF) NDT, for carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) composites. Electromagnetic properties of CFRP composites that are associated with RF NDT are discussed first. The anisotropic characteristic of the conductivity and the relationship betw...

The effect of reinforcement in the cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate-co-caprolactone diol) thermoset composites based on Kevlar fibres and hydroxyapatite was studied. Cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate-co-caprolactone diol) was also studied without any reinforcement for comparison. The reinforcing fibre acts as a barrier for the curing reaction leading to longer setting time and lesser cro...

Measurements are reported for the compressive response of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres and laminated composites loaded along the fibre direction. The compressive strength of the fibres was measured by both recoil tests and knot (or bend) tests. The strength of the fibres is governed by micro-kinking of the fibrils within the fibres. The recoil tests suggest that this...

Researches on the effects produced by the sun light upon polymeric matrix composites have been increased on the last ten years. It is commonly to find literature about mechanical characteristics degradation due to different environment effects. But a few ones are related to the shear behaviour. Moreover a limited studies are related to glass fibre polyester, even that are the composites most co...

Oriented short hemp fibre mats were produced using dynamic sheet forming (DSF) incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to improve their integrity. The CNCs found act as a binder and mechanical strength of the well polypropylene matrix composites with mats. Improved thermal stability was also obtained for by CNC treatment

The recovery and reuse of glass fibres from manufacturing waste and end-of-life composites in an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective manner is one of the most important challenges facing the thermosetting polymer composites industry. A number of processes for recycling fibres from such materials are available or under development. However, nearly all options deliver recycled glass fibres t...

In recent years many elegant techniques have been developed for the quantification of composite micromechanical parameters. Unfortunately most of these techniques have found little enthusiastic support in the industrial product development environment. We have developed an improved method for obtaining the micromechanical parameters, interfacial shear strength, fibre orientation factor, and fib...

The layer removal method is often used for measurement of internal stresses in homogeneous polymeric materials. In order to extend the use of this method to laminated composites certain refinements are needed. These include: (i) use of varying material properties (elastic moduli) through the thickness of the composite plate; (ii) use of geometric non-linear analysis to account for large deforma...