Flexure Fracture of Graphite-Epoxy.

Abstract : Panels of graphite-epoxy composite (Thornel 300 fibers in Fiberite 934 resin) have been statically tested in a flexure device designed to avoid stress concentrations associated with the loading. Measurements were made on the strain to fracture and compared with dynamic test results obtained from work conducted at the Ballistic Research Laboratories Shock Tube Facility. No significant differences in the strain-to-fracture measurements were observed between the static and dynamic tests. Comparison was made with fracture results on Thornel 300 fibers as reported in the open literature, and substantial agreement was found. (Author)