Notch effect in 20% short carbon fibre-PA reinforced composites under quasi-static tensile loads

In this work the static behaviour of notched specimens made of a polyamide-6 thermoplastic material reinforced with 20% of short carbon fibres was investigated. In more details, U and V-shaped notched specimens were manufactured by a wire cutting process from injected plates and tested under tensile quasi static loadings. All in all, 42 new experimental data have been provided, related to different notch root radii and notch opening angles, investigating the effect of the local geometry on the notch strength. Taking advantage of the scanning electron microscopy, a detailed damage analysis was also carried out on the fractured specimens, identifying the main damaging mechanisms occurring in the highly stressed regions close to the notch tip. Eventually, all the experimental data from the notched specimens have been reconverted in terms Generalised Notch Stress In-tensity Factors, GSIFs, and summarised in a single scatter band.

Automated summary

This study investigates the static behavior of notched specimens made of polyamide-6 thermoplastic material reinforced with short carbon fibers. By utilizing scanning electron microscopy, detailed damage analysis was performed on the fractured specimens to identify the main damaging mechanisms. The experimental data were converted into Generalized Notch Stress Intensity Factors (GSIFs) and summarized in a single scatter band.