Debonding/Delamination of Composites (Le Decollement et le Delaminage des Materiaux Composites)

Composite laminate components are prone to debondingdelamination when subjected to high interlaminar stress or when under impact. While delamination failure in itself is not usually catastrophic, its weakening influence on a component may lead to subsequent failure modes. Hence debonding or delamination may significantly reduce the strength of an aircraft or its fatigue life. The objective of the Specialists Meeting, organised by the Structures and Materials Panel in the Spring of 1992, was to review the present state-of-the-art in the analysis, detection and repair of delamination. Twenty- nine excellent papers were presented to an audience of over 100 leading specialists from NATO countries. Discussion of the papers presented and the final summary session revealed some common concerns and issues and gave rise to several recommendations. In bringing together the various experiences of air forces, governments, industry and universities, the Specialists Meeting has helped in identifying the key issues related to the debondingdelamination problem.