Mode I delamination behaviour of carbon/epoxy composite at different displacement rates

This research studies the displacement rate effects on the mode I delamination of unidirectional carbon/epoxy composites. Double cantilever beam test is conducted at 1, 10, 100 and 500 mm/min. Results show that the mode I fracture toughness is invariant within the range of study. Scanning electron micrographs depict that interfacial debonding dominates at 1 mm/min. However, at 500 mm/min, river pattern is observed. Besides, there is no bridging effect at all displacement rates. In addition, the experimental and numerical force-displacement curves are well compared with a maximum difference of 14%. Finally, the experimental and numerical crack growths are comparable within 15% of variation