Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1990

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Carlsson, Leif A.

Abstract

Interlaminar mode II fracture toughness, GIIC, of thermoset and thermoplastic interleaved (TSI and TPI) composites were investigated over a wide range of interleaf thickness. TPI specimens had four to about seven times larger GIIC than those without an interleaf. Poor adhesion observed for some TPI specimens were likely to be due to contaminated film materials. Thermoset interleaves were less effective in enhancing the mode II fracture toughness. However, even 0.043 mm thermoset interleaves gave three times larger G$\sb{\rm IIC}$ than those without an interleaf. Estimates of the volume of the yielded material around the crack tip based on a quasi-elastic finite element approach and Irwin's model showed that the yield zone height reaches a peak value for increasing interleaf thickness for both TSI and TPI specimens. Furthermore, fracture toughness data correlates well with yield zone heights.

Extent

128 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.E.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1990.|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FADT14594

Format

pdf

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