Documents published in Scipedia

• Experimental characterisation of the translaminar fracture toughness of an additive manufacturing c-CFRP composite

  A. Fernández, D. Rico, D. Trias, N. Blanco

  Materiales Compuestos (2026). Vol. 09 - Comunicaciones MatComp25 (2025), (Núm. 3 - Caracterización Experimental), 9

  
  

  Abstract

  Fibre breakeage in composite materials is usually a determining damage mechanism for its structural integrity due to the high energy associated, in comparison with matrix cracking. For this reason, the assessment of the translaminar fracture toughness is relevant for accurate numerical predictions of composite structures. However, there are scarce investigations related to this topic for additive manufactured composites reinforced with continuous fibres.  In this investigation, the translaminar fracture toughness of 3D-printed continuous fibre reinforced polymer (c-CFRP) composites was characterised using double-tapered compact tension (2TCT) specimens. The 2TCT geometric dimensions were obtained through a parametric study to prevent undesired failure modes. The results show a translaminar fracture toughness of 17.4 N/mm for the tested 0/90 laminates. The fracture toughness corresponding to the tensile failure of the 0° ply was derived using a rule-of-mixtures approach. Post-mortem micrographic and X-ray analysis indicated the presence of fibre pull-outs in the crack surface and confirmed the absence of any additional damage, validating the use of 2TCT geometry for the determination of the translaminar fracture toughness in additively manufactured c-CFRP composites. 

  Abstract
  Fibre breakeage in composite materials is usually a determining damage mechanism for its structural integrity due to the high energy associated, in comparison with matrix [...]

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• Experimental Evaluation of the Damping Factor in Laminated Composite Materials

  D. Trias, A. Saleh, J. Costa

  Materiales Compuestos (2026). Vol. 09 - Comunicaciones MatComp25 (2025), (Núm. 3 - Caracterización Experimental), 16

  
  

  Abstract

  The use of natural fibers in composite materials is gaining significant interest in the current context of emission reduction. In this regard, along with the fact that it is an eco-responsible material, it becomes a very attractive option, although its clear inferiority in mechanical properties such as stiffness and strength compared to glass fiber, and certainly carbon fiber, raises doubts about its use in structural applications. However, flax fiber's ability to absorb and damp vibrations is much greater than that of the aforementioned high-performance structural fibers. The experimental determination of the damping coefficient emerges as a key aspect that may allow for the consideration of natural fibers in structural applications requiring damping. Existing standards are very generic and do not account for some important details in the execution of the test. The present work presents the experimental method used for determining the damping coefficient of laminated composite materials using accelerometers and a vibration exciter (shaker), including consideration of the analysis of the effect of certain parameters such as the positioning of accelerometers, excitation methods, and data reduction methods.

  Abstract
  The use of natural fibers in composite materials is gaining significant interest in the current context of emission reduction. In this regard, along with the fact that it [...]

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