Failure Modes of Composite Materials with Organic Matrices and Their Consequences on Design.

The aerospace industrys constant search for structural materials which offer advantages of high strength, low density, high fatigue endurance and adaptability to the intended function, has made the use of composite materials an extremely attractive consideration. The understanding of the failure mechanism of anisotropic composites, where many parameters are involved is complex. The Conference Proceedings contains the text of twelve papers given at the AGARD Specialists Meeting organized to consider the problem. The latest developments in the study of failure of composite materials is contained in these papers. Included are analyses of the failure modes of these materials and presentation of methods to predict such failures. Included also are methodology and equipment for studying failures of composite materials, methods of testing composites to detect incipient failures, and suggestions of design criteria for the use of composites in order to achieve a safe-life design procedure for structures and components constructed of fiber-reinforced composite materials.