The influence of temperature and moisture on the mode I fracture toughness and associated fracture morphology of a highly toughened aerospace CFRP

This paper addresses the characterisation of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness a carbon fibre/epoxy composite material, toughened with thermoplastic particles in ply interlayers. The is undertaken at −55 °C, 19 and 90 on both dry fully moisture saturated coupons. Fractographic observations delamination surfaces allows identification failure mechanisms. propagation tested wet/90 °C exhibits 176% increase compared to dry/19 specimens, due enhanced plastic deformation interlayers more prominent fibre bridging. Moisture-saturated coupons suffered 57% reduction those under conditions. dis-bond consequent plucking from surrounding matrix. observation points fact that wet/cold conditions may represent worst-case scenario for performance systems interleaves.