Determination and analysis of fracture toughness on fiber-metal laminates composite materials

ABSTRACT The determination of fracture toughness in hybrid composite materials, fiber-metal laminates(FML) is very important in order to make a structural integrity analysis that allows estimating damage tolerance and the remaining strength of the material against crack propagation. This evaluation should be carried out in both aeronautical and naval structures that use FML composites, CARALL type (CArbon Reinforced Aluminum Laminates). This paper presents the experimental determination of fracture toughness in terms of parameters J and CTOD using compact C (T) specimens in two types of composite material laminated with 6061-T0 aluminum sheets in one case and sheets 1050 aluminum in another and carbon fibers NCT-301, embedded in epoxy resin, for both materials. The results indicate that the use of the elasto-plastic fracture toughness test techniques, applying ASTM E1820, are acceptable for the determination of the fracture toughness J in CARALL type materials. Such characterization is necessary for the development of a tolerable damage assessment program both at the design level and for a defect significance analysis based on the results of non-destructive tests on this type of composite materials.