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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/J88401/01
Title: FRACTURE CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTINUOUS FIBRE COMPOSITES
Principal Investigator: Galiotis, Dr C
Other Investigators:
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Project Partners:
BAE Systems
Department: Materials
Organisation: Queen Mary University of London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 March 1994 Ends: 28 February 1997 Value (£): 50,084
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
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Summary on Grant Application Form
The fracture characteristics of continuous fibre composites in tension, depend upon the tensile strength and moduli of fibre and matrix, the fibre volume fraction and the strength of the fibre/matrix bond. It is therefore evident that due to the complexity of the situation, any attempt to understand and subsequent model the fracture behaviour of composites, requires a careful evaluation of all these parameters in isolation. In this work we will concentrate on carbon fibre/epoxy composites and will study the effect of volume fraction and interface on (a) two-dimensional microcomposites of variable interfibre distance and (b) real prepregs. The stress or strain along individual fibres at different levels of applied load, will be monitored using the technique of laser Raman spectroscopy. The stress-concentration factor in an intact fibre as a result of fibre fracture or fractures in adjacent fibres, will be measured as a function of interfibre distance (volume fraction). Furthermore, the exact stress-distribution in the vicinity of fibre fracture and in all fibres adjacent to the location of fracture will be monitored point-by-point. The transfer lengths for reinforcement will be measured as a function of oxidative treatment and interfibre distance. Finally, the experimental stress concentration factors from the two types of composites will be compared with those derived from existing analytical modes in an attempt to derive a new universal model for the fracture characteristics of an ideal as well as a 'practical' lamina.
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