An experimental investigation on the tensile moduli and strengths of graphite/epoxy laminates

The results of a series of tensile tests on graphite/epoxy 0°]_8S and 0°/±30°/0°]_2S laminates at rates varying from 0.002 in/min to 2 in./min are reported. The loads are applied at various angles to the fiber directions in each case. The rate-dependent behavior of the stress-strain response is assessed. Evidence is presented to indicate that failure first occurs on inner plies. Also, evidence is presented to indicate that, in some cases, moduli increase with increased stress or strain level. Lamination theory is used to predict moduli and comparisons with experiment are given. This theory is also used in conjunction with three failure theories to predict ultimate strengths with varying degrees of success. Further, two approaches to ply unloading after first-ply failure are used and discussed. One is a standard method found in the literature while the other is a proposed ‘strength-of-materials’ type of technique which is computationally much simpler.