Crack growth resistance curves of GLARE 3 5/4 0.3 fiber–metal laminates at low temperature

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was the evaluation of crack growth resistance curves ( J–Rcurves) of commercial GLARE® 3 5/4 laminates at −50 °C. The experimental evaluation of these curves was performed on 50‐mm‐wide compact tension specimens through the unloading compliance technique. The tests were based on the ASTM E1820 standard with minor modifications. Additionally, tensile tests were also performed at −50 °C on dogbone specimens according to the ASTM E8M standard. Comparisons between low and room temperature properties indicate that the material preserves both its tensile strength and fracture toughness at −50 °C, although low temperatureJ–Rcurves presented smaller slopes than the room temperature ones after the onset of stable crack growth.