Thickness effect on flexural strengths of laminar carbon fibre composites

The thickness dependence of flexural strengths of laminar carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates was investigated experimentally and analytically in this study. This thickness effect was linked to the ply thickness by a simple composite formula. Four different sample thicknesses of 1.48, 2.08, 2.48 and 2.96 mm were tested, and thickness dependent flexural strengths were evaluated by the Strength of Materials (SOM) formula and modelled by the simple composite formula containing the ply thickness. The ASTM standard D7264, recommending 4 mm thick CFRP samples, was justified analytically, i.e., the thickness effect is negligible if W≥ 4 mm for CFRP plates with typical ply thickness around 120–130μm. The intrinsic tensile strength, independent of the sample thickness, was deduced from all flexural tests by the composite formula, which compared well with the tensile strength from unidirectional tensile tests and the tensile strength estimated from notched flexural samples. The specimen and notch/crack size requirements in ASTM standards for the fracture toughness were also explained analytically. [Display omitted] •Thickness dependence of CFRP flexural strengths was explained by ply-thickness.•ASTM D7264 was confirmed analytically by a simple composite model.•A constant strength was deduced by eliminating the thickness effect.•The deduced strength for crack-tip damage was confirmed by direct tensile tests.