• Composites Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.7-17
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• 2004

In this study, the effect of laminate thickness on the compressive behaviour of composite materials is investigated through systematic experimental work using the stacking sequences, $[O_4]_{ns},{\;}[45/0/-45/90]_{ns}$ and $[45_n/0_n/-45_n/90_n]_s$ (n=2 to 8). Parameters such as fibre volume fraction, void content, fibre waviness and interlaminar stresses, influencing compressive strength with increasing laminate thickness are also studied experimentally and theoretically. Furthermore the stacking sequence effects on failure strength of multidirectional laminates are examined. For this purpose, two different scaling techniques are used; (1) ply-level technique $[45_n/0_n/-45_n/90_n]s$ and (2) sublaminate level technique $[45/0/-45/90]_{ns}$. An apparent thickness effect existes in the lay-up with blocked plies, i.e. unidirectional specimens ($[O_4]_{ns}) and ply-level scaled multidirectional specimens ($[45_n/0_n/-45_n/90_n]_s$). Fibre waviness and void content are found to be main parameters contributing to the thickness effect on the compressive failure strength. However, the compressive strength of the sublaminate level scaled specimens ($[45/0/-45/90]_{ns}$) is almost unaffected regardless of the specimen thickness (since ply thickness remains constant). From the investigation of the stacking sequence effect, the strength values obtained from the sublaminate level scaled specimens are slightly higher than those obtained from the ply level scaled specimens. The reason for this effect is explained by the fibre waviness, void content, free edge effect and stress redistribution in blocked $0^{\circ}$ plies and unblocked $0^{\circ}$ plies. The measured failure strengths are compared with the predicted values.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2023

The stacking configuration of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, achieved via the filament winding process, exhibits distinct variations compared to conventional FRP composite stacking arrangements. Consequently, it becomes challenging to ascertain the influence of mechanical properties based on the typical stacking structures. Thus, it becomes imperative to enhance the mechanical behavior and optimize the interleaved structures to improve overall performance. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of incorporating amorphous halloysite nanotubes (A-HNTs) within different layers of five unique layer arrangements on the low-velocity impact properties of interleaved carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures. The low-velocity impact characteristics of the laminate were validated using a drop weight impact test, wherein the resulting impact damage modes and extent of damage were compared and evaluated under microscopic analysis. Each interleaved structure laminate according to whether nanoparticles are added was compared at impact energies of 10 J and 15 J. In the case of 10 J, the absorption energy showed a similar tendency in each structure. However, at 15 J, the absorption energy varies from structure to structure. Among them, a structure in which nanoparticles are not added exhibits the highest absorption energy. Additionally, various impact fracture modes were observed in each structure through optical microscopy.