Journal article
In situ observations of microscale damage evolution in unidirectional natural fibre composites
Department of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark1
Composites Mechanics and Materials Mechanics, Department of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark2
Paul Scherrer Institute3
Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark4
Imaging and Structural Analysis, Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark5
Synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy (XTM) has been used to observe in situ damage evolution in unidirectional flax fibre yarn/polypropylene composites loaded in uniaxial tension at stress levels between 20% and 95% of the ultimate failure stress. XTM allows for 3D visualization of the internal damage state at each stress level.
The overall aim of the study is to gain a better understanding of the damage mechanisms in natural fibre composites. This is necessary if they are to be optimized to fulfil their promising potential. Three dominating damage mechanisms have been identified: (i) interface splitting cracks typically seen at the interfaces of bundles of unseparated fibres, (ii) matrix shear cracks, and (iii) fibre failures typically seen at fibre defects.
Based on the findings in the present study, well separated fibres with a low number of defects are recommended for composite reinforcements.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2012 |
| Pages: | 1639-1649 |
| ISSN: | 18785840 and 1359835x |
| Types: | Journal article |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.02.007 |
| ORCIDs: | Madsen, Bo and Sørensen, Bent F. |
