An experimental study of the influence of fibre–matrix interface on fatigue tensile strength of notched composite laminates

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of fibre–matrix interfacial adhesion on fatigue residual strength of polymer matrix composite laminates containing a circular hole. Composite laminates were manufactured using surface-treated and -untreated carbon fibres, and the interfacial adhesion was quantified by measuring the transverse flexural strength of the two material systems. Tensile–tensile cyclic fatigue experiments were conducted at three load levels. Residual strength of notched laminates, subjected to cyclic loading was then measured for the two composite systems. Damage mechanisms were analysed using C-scan and SEM fractography and correlated with notched residual strength.