Fatigue and post-fatigue stress–strain analysis of a 5-harness satin weave carbon fibre reinforced composite

This paper presents the experimental fatigue damage analysis of a carbon-PPS (PolyPhenylene Sulphide) 5-harness satin weave composite under tension–tension fatigue. Evolution of the longitudinal strain as well as the longitudinal stiffness of the composite specimen was monitored throughout the cyclic load process. During the fatigue test, instrumentation of the composite structural response is categorized into two parts: (i) the first priority was to monitor the macro-scale structural response such as the increase in the longitudinal strain and hence decrease in the composite longitudinal stiffness; (ii) the second priority was to capture the micro-scale damage events which are occurring in correlation with the observed fluctuations in the macro-scale structural response. Finally, comparison of the strength as well as stress–strain behaviour of the virgin composite samples to the fatigue tested specimens gives an overview of the effect of the induced fatigue damage on the strength and stiffness of the composite specimen.