A study of tension test specimens of laminated hybrid composites

This paper is a continuation of the research work reported on earlier in Part I: a study of tension test specimens for laminated hybrid composites. Effects of specimen size and alignment of the tensile testing machine were investigated. It is demonstrated that the variation of strength with size is significant, and alignment of the testing machine is critical. In summary, the use of a straight-sided specimen for tension testing of fibre-metal laminates is recommended. However, if one can maintain good control of alignment from the tensile testing machine, use of a dogbone-type test specimen is also applicable. The effect of specimen size on the strength of fibre-metal laminates is also examined in this study. The strength of fibre-metal laminates exhibits no size (width) effect over the range 6.4 to 38.1 mm, holding the strain rate constant.