Effect of surface treatment and testing temperature on mode I interlaminar fracture behavior of glass woven fabric composites

Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness tests were carried out at room temperature, 60 degreesC and 100 degreesC by using double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens with plain glass woven fabric / vinyl ester resin composites. Three types of composites reinforced with glass woven fabrics treated with different silane concentration were used. The mode I fracture toughness for the onset of initial crack propagation increased with increase of testing temperature, and the fracture toughness at high temperature increased with increasing silane concentration, whereas the fracture toughness at room temperature decreased with increasing silane concentration.