Fatigue behaviour of open-hole samples and automotive mini-structures made of woven glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 6,6

In the automotive industry, the integration of thermoplastic composite components represents a high-potential solution to the mass reduction challenge. In this study, a woven glassfibre-reinforced composite with a polyamide 6,6 matrix is considered for the purpose of being integrated into automotive parts. Tension-tension fatigue tests were conducted on [(0/90)3] openhole samples. These tests were instrumented with non-destructive techniques, namely acoustic emission and infrared thermography. Acoustic emission results showed fibre-matrix debonding and fibre breakages in open-hole samples, located around the hole. Furthermore, 3-point bending fatigue tests were performed on “omega” mini-structures. A semi-empirical model was used in order to predict the fatigue lives of both open-hole coupons and automotive mini-structures. Predictions of the model for open-holes samples underestimate experimental fatigue lives. Nevertheless, the semiempirical model showed good results for the fatigue life prediction of composite mini-structures