• Composites Research
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.14-18
• /
• 2002

In the present study, we investigated the effects or hydrostatic pressure and stacking sequence on the elastic work factor to determine compressive fracture toughness of graphite/epoxy laminated composites in the hydrostatic pressure environment. The stacking sequences used were unidirectional. $\textrm{[}0^{\circ}\textrm{]}_{88}$ and multi-directional, $\textrm{[}0^{\circ}/\pm/45^{\circ}/90^{\circ}\textrm{]}_{11s}$. The hydrostatic pressures applied for a $\textrm{[}0^{\circ}\textrm{]}_{88}$ case were 0.1 MPa, 70MPa, 140MPa. and 200MPa. The hydrostatic pressures applied for a $\textrm{[}0^{\circ}/\pm/45^{\circ}/90^{\circ}\textrm{]}_{11s}$ case were 0.1MPa, 100MPa, 200MPa, and 300MPa. It was found that the elastic work factor was not affected by the hydrostatic pressure and the stacking sequence. Also, it was found that the elastic work factor decreased in a linear fashion with delamination length.