Video camera, data acquisition, and motion analysis combine to test fracture toughness of composite materials.
Video camera, data acquisition, and motion analysis combine to test fracture toughness of composite materials.
Testing fracture toughness in material structures-specifically composite laminates-has historically been the realm of microscopes and x-y chart recorders that monitor the crack growth and acquire force and deflection data for fracture-toughness testing. An operator views the delamination (crack growth) through a microscope as it progresses, then marks on the chart recorder when milestone increments in growth have been achieved. When the test is complete, force, deflection, and crack-growth data are reduced to provide fracture-toughness properties for the material under test.