Mechanical Characterization and Fracture Analysis of Aerospace-Grade Fiber (Nanocomposites): A Study on Structural Integrity and Damage Tolerance
Abstract
Aerospace-grade fibers and nano-composites are widely utilized in the field for their high durability and impact resistance. These fibers and epoxy bonds allow an immense strength-to-weight ratio and superior stiffness with rigidity. As this fiber undergoes cyclic loading and tension due to environmental effects, it exhibits modes of failure and delamination. Depending on its usability, they have undergone various amounts of testing and loading conditions. The most common fracture behaviors comprise 3-mode failure behavior. To avoid such fracture behavior and undergo structural failure, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and thermal shielding are implemented on the fiber composites. This provides strengthening and resistive ability for the materials. The researchers shall work on the combination of I-II and I-III modes of failures during the application of loads and conclude on the characteristic performance of the fiber. This study is carried out for the prediction of the crack path based on modular KI-KIII stress intensity factors with the help of Finite Element Analysis. The analysis is based on determining the mixed mode fracture toughness envelope and maximum tangential stress criterion to determine the directional crack tip.