Composite Material Damage Processes

Abstract

Composite materials are in use in the shipbuilding industry for a long period of time. Composites appear in vast number of fibre – matrix combinations and can be produced with several different production processes. Due to the specific nature of the composite material structure, the selection of the production process and the limitations in the quality control procedures, composite materials will always be subject to defects and imperfections which may, under certain circumstances, lead to the appearance and propagation of cracks. The size and the shape of the crack, the load type and the stress field in the material surrounding the crack will be crucial for crack growth and crack propagation. This paper reviews the composite material damage processes especially relevant for shipbuilding. The basic principles of composite material fracture mechanics are briefly explained, and finally, mechanisms responsible for the development of damage and fracture of composite materials are presented. This paper has emerged from the need to summarize information about composite material fracture and failure mechanisms and modes relevant for the shipbuilding industry.