The mechanical behavior of an alumina carbon/epoxy laminate

Abstract

An experimental study has been made of a laminate consisting of monolithic thin alumina plates alternating with unidirectional carbon/epoxy (C/E) prepreg tapes. The main advantages of this system over the traditional means of reinforcing ceramics, are the avoidance of large flaws due to processing, which occur in fiber reinforced brittle matrix composites, and the nearly isotropic behavior under biaxial loading. In addition, the multiple fracture mechanism occurring in the system gives rise to pseudo ductile behavior and enhanced strain energy dissipation. The mechanical behavior of the laminate is explored. The effects of the number of layers, volume fraction and transverse properties are also investigated. The loss of stiffness with increase of the applied strain is estimated using a simple shear lag theory, which includes the plastic behavior of the interface.