Damage development during flexural fatigue of carbon fibre-reinforced PEEK

Abstract

Fatigue damage growth mechanisms in [0]₁₆ and [0, 90]_4s laminates of APC-2 subjected to three-point flexure were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Building on an understanding gained from the study of statically tested samples, specific fatigue mechanisms were identified. For each laminate geometry a coherent progression of damage build-up is proposed.