Damage detection in intra-ply glass/carbon laminated composites under Mode-I and Mode-II fracture loadings

Abstract

Abstract A comprehensive experimental investigation was performed to understand damage detection capabilities of intra-ply glass/carbon composites embedded with carbon nanotubes under mode-I and mode-II fracture. Novel modified four circumferential probes were employed on fracture test specimens to capture piezo-electrical response. The effect of three different laminate orientations (G-0-C-90, C-0-G-90, and G-45-C-45) on both mode-I and mode-II fracture initiation toughness and the electrical-fracture response were discussed. C-0-G-90 demonstrated higher mode-I fracture toughness, while G-0-C-90 composites exhibited higher mode-II fracture toughness. The fracture toughness values were related with scanning electron microscopy images and electrical response was correlated well with the crack dynamics.