Optimization of geometric parameters for mode-I fracture analyse on glass fiber woven mat thermoplastic laminated composites

Abstract The present work is to optimize the geometric parameters such as width (W), breath, total width (C), height (h), and crack length (a) of glass fiber woven mat reinforced thermoplastic laminate composite for Mode-I fracture analysis with compact tension testing mode. The laminated HDPE composites were prepared by hot compression molding with three layers of HDPE and two-layer of glass fiber woven mat. The design of experiments (L27 Orthogonal array) was prepared based on the Taguchi technique with four parameters and three levels. The mode-I fracture toughness and energy-releasing rate were calculated for all samples. The ANOVA and regression equation were used to find the effect of toughness and energy releasing rate of the laminate composites. The experimental and regression results are compared and predicted the error. Finally, the optimum shape to laminate composites is suggested for predicting fracture behaviors of various synthetic and natural fiber woven mat reinforced polymer composites in mode-I under compact tension mode.