Output details

Assessment of fatigue damage evolution in woven composite materials using infra-red techniques

Significance of output:

This experimental work studied the fatigue behaviour of composite materials. The findings of practical significance were firstly the demonstration that fatigue damage in woven materials can occur at low stress levels (20% of the failure stress), through the development of matrix cracking. Secondly the phase of the thermoelastic signal can be used as a signature pattern for defects, without the need for prior knowledge of the response in the virgin state.