Residual strength and failure mechanism of CF/PPS composites with delamination damage

Delamination is one form of damage in composite laminates. The effects of delamination damage locations (thickness direction of laminates) on the residual compressive strength and failure mechanism of carbon fiber/polyphenylene sulfide (CF/PPS) composites are studied by damage morphology, full‐field strain and finite element simulation. The closer the delamination is to the center of the composite, the lower the residual compressive strength. The failure mode of composites is dominated by 0° fiber fracture, which is divided into bulging, delamination propagation, and fracture. The delamination locations significantly affect the first two stages. Highlights Constructing delamination damage in composites by interlayer preset defects. Simulation and damage analysis to reveal the mechanism of compression failure. The relationship between delamination depth and damage stage is revealed. Finite element analysis and residual compressive strength and failure evolution.