A method for testing interlaminar dynamic fracture toughness of polymeric composites

Static and dynamic Mode I delamination fracture in two polymeric fiber composites was studied using a WIF test method. The dynamic test was conducted on a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar apparatus. Crack speeds up to 1000 m/s were achieved. Dynamic fracture and crack propagation were modeled by the finite element method. Dynamic initiation fracture toughness of S2/8552 and IM7/977-3 composites were obtained. The dynamic fracture toughness of IM7/977-3 associated with the high speed propagating crack was extracted from the finite element simulation based on the measured data. It was found that the dynamic fracture toughness of the delamination crack propagating at a speed up to 1000 m/s approximately equals the static fracture toughness. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.