Effects of ceramic fillers on failure loads and failure mechanisms of laminated composites with two-parallel pin-loaded holes

Abstract

In this study, the failure load values and failure mechanisms of ceramic materials filled E-glass/epoxy laminated composite plates that have two-parallel circular holes, subjected to tension forces by two-parallel rigid pins, are investigated experimentally. The composite plates used in the pin tests were produced by using three different ceramic fillers, which are Silicon Carbide (SiC), Boron Carbide (B4C), and Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3). The weight fractions of ceramic fillers in each composite plate are 5%, 10%, and 15%. For evaluating the influence of joint geometry on failure loads and failure mechanisms, the edge distance-to-hole diameter ratio, different pin-hole diameters, and the ratio of the distance between the side edge of the sample and the center of pin-hole to the hole diameter were considered as geometric parameters. The results from the experimental tests revealed that adding ceramic fillers to the composites up to a certain ratio leads to a remarkable increment in the failure load values of the composites compared to the neat (0 wt.%) composites for all weight fractions. Further, the ultimate failure load values were obtained for composite plates filled with Al2O3 ceramics in 10% weight fractions.