Surface Morphology Effects on High-Rate Fracture of an Aluminum/Epoxy Interface

Crack initiation and propagation along interfaces are influenced by interface morphology under quasi-static loading conditions. In this article, the loading rate and surface topography effects on energy dissipation during dynamic fracture of an aluminum/epoxy interface were experimentally investigated. Four-point bending specimens with a precrack on the interface were dynamically loaded at high rates with stress waves. The aluminum side of the interface on the specimen had four surface roughness levels. The study of surface morphology effects at high rates is the original contribution of this research. The results indicate that surface morphology significantly affect the energy dissipation during the dynamic fracture of the interface. At a specific roughness, fracture toughness and energy dissipation increase with increasing loading rates.