Fractal interfacial enhancement of composite delamination resistance

摘要

The inventive composite laminate has an interface profile which describes a fractally nonlinear contour. Inventive fabrication thereof typically includes computer numerically controlled wire-cut electrical discharge machining of a metal mold, resin transfer molding of a first composite portion using the metal mold, and resin transfer molding of a second composite portion using the first composite portion as a mold so that the interfacing surfaces of the composite portions are secondarily bonded to each other in conformal fashion. The interface surface of the second composite portion approximates the geometry of the metal mold surface, while the interface surface of the first composite portion approximates the inverted geometry of the metal mold surface. Each interface surface defines a multiplicity of lengthwise parallel grooves and ridges corresponding to the widthwise disordered undulations of the fractal interfacial profile. Both through-thickness strength and fracture toughness can be significantly increased by inventive practice of a composite laminate characterized by fractality of the interfacial profile.