Investigation of Angle-Ply Delamination Specimen For Interlaminar Strength Test

The use of fiber composite laminates in many structural applications requires that the designer be provided with accurate information about interlaminar strength. In particular, a knowledge of interlaminar tensile strength may be important in some cases. The delamination coupon, a specially designed angle-ply laminate developed by other investigators, is considered here in the role of an interlaminar tension test specimen. Exper imental results obtained with the delamination coupon suggest that the current procedure for design of such specimens must be changed to reduce the effect of interlaminar shear stress on the results, and that more accur ate analysis must be used before interlaminar tensile strength can be pre dicted with confidence.