Study of dynamic failure in composite materials under extreme temperatures

By using the advanced capability at ESRF, we aim to capture and quantify the subsurface failure mechanisms when CFRPs are subjected to impact loading at temperatures relevant to aviation service (-60°C to 100°C). The ultimate goals are to delineate and characterise the role of delamination, fibre debonding, fibre breakage, matrix crack, and matrix/fibre interaction in a time-resolved manner as they occur during dynamic mechanical loading. Briefly, the thermomechanical behaviour of CFRP specimens will be characterised using an SHPB under a controlled thermal environment. High-speed X-ray phase contrast imaging will be used to obtain subsurface radiographic sequences of damage features, while X-ray digital image correlation will enable us to quantify subsurface deformation fields. The results of this research will provide unique data to validate advanced damage models for this important class of materials and will help guide future material design in the aerospace industry.