Damage and fracture by delamination in a glass-epoxy composite under static and cyclic loading

A study of the mechanisms of delamination in a glass cloth/epoxy composite under static and cyclic loading is presented. The microscopic initiation is clearly pointed out by acoustic emission. The strain energy release rate is determined by compliance methods. R curves show that the glass cloth epoxy material is tough. In fatigue, the delamination grows according to the Paris law, and under variable loading the glass cloth/epoxy composite does not show significant memory effect. Microfractographic observation reveals the existence of fatigue striations in the fiber imprints and microcracks in the resin. Tomography shows a large damage zone ahead of the cracktip.