A NEW TESTING TECHNIQUE FOR FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS IN THE INTERLAMINAR CRACK OPENING MODE (MODE-I)

We report on a newly developed testing technique for the characterization of the interlaminar fracture behaviour of fibre reinforced plastics in the crack opening mode (mode I). The splitting test is experimentally simple; the loading device and the sample geometry are small and well-suited for measurements at low temperatures on both unirradiated and irradiated samples. The mechanical tests were made on a two-dimensionally reinforced epoxy (ISOVAL 10) at room temperature and 77 K. Details of the testing technique as well as influences of the sample dimensions on the measured mechanical quantities are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of the new technique are assessed and compared with those of other testing methods.