An experimental and numerical study of fracture Toughness of Kevlar- Glass Epoxy Hybrid Composite

The fracture behavior of Kevlar/Glass- Epoxy Hybrid Composite was investigated based on experimental and finite element analysis method. The tension test was employed with fixtures as per ASTM standards. Fracture Toughness was determined experimentally for along the fiber direction and across the fiber direction of the specimen. Results indicated that cracked specimen is tougher along the fiber direction as compared with across the fiber direction. A similar fracture test was simulated using FEA software. Critical stress intensity Factor was (K₁) was calculated at fracture/failure using displacement extrapolation method, for both along and across the fiber direction.