Analysis of interlaminar fracture toughness and the mechanical properties of composite cylinders

Abstract This paper investigates the interlayer fracture toughness and mechanical properties of composite material cylinders specifically designed for the nuclear industry. Firstly, the corresponding relationship between type one interlayer cracking and load in composite materials is obtained through double cantilever beam (DCB) tests. And it calculates the Type one fracture toughness of the material based on the G 1C calculation formula. Secondly, this paper designs an ENF experimental system. The correspondence between the propagation length of Type two interlayer cracks and load is tested through three-point bending (ENF) tests, and the Type two fracture toughness of the material is obtained based on the G IIC calculation formula. Finally, this paper establishes a finite element model of composite material structures. It substitutes the Type one fracture toughness and Type two fracture toughness obtained from previous experiments into the material constitutive model parameters. Then, it analysed the stress distribution of composite material cylinders specifically designed for the nuclear industry under centrifugal load at ultra-high speeds. This paper can provide a theoretical basis for the interlayer performance design and evaluation of the structure.