Tension mechanical behavior of two angle-ply of glass-fiber reinforced composites

Mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced composite (S4C9-1200/SY14, with two angle-ply of [0]₁₆ and [±45] _4S) was investigated at strain rates ranging from 10^-3 s^-1 to 10³ s^-1 under uniaxial tension/compression by using an electronic universal testing machine and the Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB). Damage modes of this laminated composite are further examined, which can be clarified into fiber brittle rupture and fiber/matrix debonding, as well as its dependence on strain rate are studied. The experimental results show that disheveled catastrophic brittle failure is observed for the [0]₁₆ specimens tested at quasi-static strain rates. For [± 45]_4S specimens, the failure mode is mainly fiber/matrix debonding, and the damage is linear with the stress. Significant strain rate sensitivity is found for [±45]_4S specimens above strain rate value of the strengthen threshold.