A fractographic study of fatigue in cfrp

Abstract

Fractured surfaces of cfrp specimens which had failed in fully-reversed (zero mean) axial fatigue (push/pull) loading have been studied using a scanning electron microscope. The fractographs obtained are presented here; and an explanation of the phenomenon of fatigue failure for the specimens under fatigue loading of the type used is given, based on the interpretation of the fractographs. It is suggested that the explanation proposed may well explain some of the problems of failure associated with cfrp components under fatigue loading. © 1979.