EFFECT OF INTERMEDIATE STRAIN RATES ON SHEAR PLUGGING STRENGTH OF COMPOSITES

E glass/epoxy and Carbon/epoxy composite laminates were prepared using the VARTM technique and tested in a UTM, at different intermediate strain rates, for their shear plugging strengths. Different intermediate strain rates were obtained by controlling the speed of the movable jaw of the UTM. An increase in strain rate resulted in an increase in shear punching strength of the E-glass/epoxy laminate whereas the Carbon/epoxy laminate didn't show such sensitivity. Further, the rate of increase of the Shear strength of the E glass/epoxy laminate showed a decreasing trend with increase in strain rates.