Loading rate dependency on mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional and woven carbon fibre epoxy composites

The loading rate effect on mode I interlaminar behaviour of unidirectional and woven composites has been analysed from quasi-static to dynamic loading rates. Fibre bridging, which can overestimate the measured fracture energies and conceal the strain rate effect, has been avoided by manufacturing woven and unidirectional (but with a small amount of transversal E-glass) carbon fibre epoxy composites. Double Cantilever Beam tests have been...