Failure of NCF composites subjected to combined compression and shear loading

Earlier studies have shown that formation of kink bands is the mechanism that is likely to govern failure of compression loaded non-crimp fabric (NCF) composite laminates. Because of this, a failure criterion for prediction of failure caused by kinking under multiaxial (axial compression and shear) loading has been adapted to a NCF composite system. The criterion has been validated for compression tests of quasi-isotropic laminates tested in uniaxial compression. By performing compression tests of the laminate at different off-axis angles, it was possible to vary the ratio of compressive axial stress/shear stress in the specimens. The test results proved that the criterion works well for predictions of kinking governed failure for the present material system. Detailed fractographic studies confirmed that formation of kink bands was the mechanism responsible for specimen failure. Kink bands were also found to develop at loads significantly lower than load at specimen failure.