Crack propagation in CFRP laminates under mode I monotonic and fatigue loads: A methodological study

Delamination in composite materials is often accompanied by fiber bridging that increases resistance to crack growth. Here, delamination of two unidirectional carbon/epoxy systems was studied under monotonic and displacement-controlled fatigue loading. One material (CP004) presented a random distribution of fiber clusters and matrix-rich zones while the other (SE-84) had an ordered microstructure. The results showed that monotonic and fatigue...