Determination of Dynamic Delamination Toughness of a Graphite-Fiber/Epoxy Composite Using Hopkinson Pressure Bar

Modified dynamic three-point-bending and compact shearing test configurations based on Hopkinson pressure bar (HPB) and crack detection gage (CDG) (Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.) were used for the determination of the dynamic mode I and mode II delamination-initiation toughness of a unidirectional graphite-fiber/epoxy composite made of P7051S-20Q-1000 prepregs (Toray Composites America). The transient loading history was recorded precisely by the HPB installed with a high-resolution digital oscilloscope, and the crack initiation and delay time were captured using the CDG. By means of dynamic finite-element analysis (FEA) of the impact processes with the loading history and crack initiation time as input, the critical dynamic stress intensity factors (DSIFs) (KIDC/KIIDC) were extracted from numerical results of the crack opening displacements (CODs). Results show that under the present transient loadings, the KIDC value is about 80–90% of the static one, while the KIIDC value is nearly unchanged. Dynamic failure mechanisms of the composite specimens were evaluated by fractography using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).