Fatigue Behavior of Polymer Composites Reinforced by Carbon Fiber

Applications of short fiber reinforced polymer composites have been rapidly increasing especially in aerospace and more recently in automotive applications and most of the components made of these materials are subjected to cyclic loading. Their high mechanical performances and good fatigue durability offer definite advantages compared to more traditional materials. However in comparison with metal damage mechanisms are complex and variability of the mechanical properties due to anisotropy heterogeneity and defects more important.