Influence of the Woven Structure on the Initial Fracture Behavior of Roving Glass Fabric Reinforced Composites

Abstract

In this paper, investigation on the initial fracture behavior was carried out on roving glass woven fabric reinforced composites which were manufactured by hand lay-up method. Two kinds of roving glass woven fabrics of different FAW (Fabric Area Weight) and crimp ratio, Type A of 570 g/m2 and Type B of 800 g/m2, were adopted as reinforcement in this study. Tensile test was conducted and tensile properties were discussed on specimens of 6 degrees 0°/5°/10°/80°/85°/90°. The initial fracture behavior was observed on 0 degree and 90 degree and the fracture mechanism was compared and discussed among 5°/10°/80°/85°. The results showed that Type B has higher tensile modulus and tensile strength than that of Type A. And different initial fracture behaviors between two kinds of materials was observed and analyzed, which indicated that the crimp ratio plays an important role of woven fabric reinforced composites in fracture mechanism.