Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness in Multidirectional 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with Continuous Carbon Fiber

Jonnathan D. Santos, José M. Guerrero, Norbert Blanco, Jorge I. Fajardo, César A. Paltán

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4 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is well known that the use of continuous reinforcing fibers can largely improve the typical low in-plane mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts. However, there is very limited research on the characterization of the interlaminar fracture toughness of 3D-printed composites. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of determining the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of 3D-printed cFRP composites with multidirectional interfaces. First, elastic calculations and different FE simulations of Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens (using cohesive elements for the delamination, in addition to an intralaminar ply failure criterion) were carried out to choose the best interface orientations and laminate configurations. The objective was to ensure a smooth and stable propagation of the interlaminar crack, while preventing asymmetrical delamination growth and plane migration, also known as crack jumping. Then, the best three specimen configurations were manufactured and tested experimentally to validate the simulation methodology. The experimental results confirmed that, with the appropriate stacking sequence for the specimen arms, it is possible to characterize the interlaminar fracture toughness in multidirectional 3D-printed composites under mode I. The experimental results also show that both initiation and propagation values of the mode I fracture toughness depend on the interface angles, although a clear tendency could not be established.
Translated title of the contributionAnálisis numérico y experimental de la tenacidad a la fractura interlaminar modo i en composites termoplásticos multidireccionales impresos en 3D reforzados con fibra de carbono continua
Original languageEnglish
Article number2403
Pages (from-to)1-27
Number of pages27
JournalPolymers
Volume15
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 May 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MCIU), the Spanish Research Agency (AEI), and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER, UE), grant number RTI2018-094435-B-C32. José M. Guerrero would also like to acknowledge the funding of the postdoc grant Margarita Salas with reference REQ2021_A_15, financed by the Spanish ‘Ministerio de Universidades’ and the European Union—Next GenerationEU. Jonnathan D. Santos acknowledges the support from the research group GIMAT at Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, and technical support from the research group AMADE at Universitat de Girona. All individuals consented to be acknowledged.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • 3D-printed composite
  • experimental characterization
  • finite element simulation
  • interlaminar fracture toughness
  • multidirectional interface

CACES Knowledge Areas

  • 237A Construction and civil engineering

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