Thickness-dependence of the translaminar fracture toughness: Experimental study using thin-ply composites

The concept of translaminar fracture toughness of 0° plies has enabled the development of a considerable number of ply-level numerical models for structural failure of laminated composites. Using thin-ply pre-pregs, this paper demonstrates that this translaminar toughness is not an absolute, but rather in-situ, property and depends strongly on the 0° ply-block thickness, even in situations where delamination and diffuse damage are inhibited. We...