Mode I fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced polymer composites: A review

Composite materials are known for their high stiffness and strength at lower weight as compared to conventional structural materials. Recently, there has been a growing interest in finding the new ways to decrease delamination failure, which is a life limiting factor of laminated composites. This review paper emphasizes on the effects of different reinforcement structures on mode I fracture toughness and possible ways to improve fracture toughness. A brief description on intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of crack growth has been discussed along with the earlier investigations and recent developments for mode I fracture toughness testing. Factors that affect the fracture toughness are also discussed. A brief knowledge of mode I fracture toughness of traditional and advanced fiber-reinforced composites is given, which could help researchers to understand fracture behaviors of composites and thus, it can help engineers to design composites with higher interlaminar strength.

Automated summary

This review paper discusses the effects of different reinforcement structures on mode I fracture toughness of composite materials and possible ways to improve it. It also provides a brief overview of intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of crack growth, earlier investigations and recent developments in mode I fracture toughness testing, as well as factors influencing fracture toughness.