Stability of Postcritical Deformation of CFRP under Static ±45° Tension with Vibrations

The paper presents an experimental study on regularities of postcritical deformation of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) under static ±45° tension. The employed test method is based on ASTM D3518. Displacement and strain fields were identified by a digital image correlation method (DIC) using a VIC-3D contactless optical video system. Acoustic emission signals were obtained using an AMSY-6 system. The surface analysis of samples was carried out using a CarlZeiss SteREO Discovery. V12 optical stereomicroscope and a DinoLite microscope. Three experimental test types were considered: active loading, deformation with unloadings, and tension under additional torsion vibrations with various amplitudes. Loading diagrams were constructed; they showed a number of stages in the damage accumulation process. It was analyzed how heterogeneous strain fields develop; a neck development during softening process was observed. It was noted that the loading system rigidity influences the failure moment. The research considered various shear strain calculation methods using a “virtual extensometer” instrument. Composite mechanical properties were obtained. A shear modulus reduction during a plastic strain increase was revealed. The acoustic emission signals were analyzed; three characteristic frequency bands were observed. Most of the contribution to cumulative energy was made by matrix cracking. A reduction of the number of AE signals associated with the violation of adhesion between the fibers and the matrix during postcritical deformation was observed. The research identified basic surface defects. An appearance of the defects corresponds with their identification by the AE system. It was revealed that the presence of additional torsion vibration leads to an increase in the softening stage length. It was concluded that due regard for the postcritical deformation stage and the loading system rigidity is reasonable during the structure strength analysis.