Crack bridging
A matrix crack opens across a section while the intact fibres stretch to bridge the gap and hold the two faces together.
CSS
Composites
15 animationsCure cycle
An autoclave cure profile traces out across the axes through the ramp, the intermediate dwell and the cure hold, then retraces to the start.
CSSDelamination
A lens-shaped crack runs out along the interface between two plies of a laminate section and retreats to its tip.
CSSFibre angle
A fibre tow indexes around an orientation dial through the standard ply angles while the reference axis holds still.
CSSFibre volume fraction
Fibre sections in a unit cell swell to pack tighter while the fraction bar beside them rises to match.
CSSFilament winding
Helical tow bands travel around a mandrel as it turns, carrying the wound pattern steadily along the cylinder.
CSSHoneycomb core
Hexagonal core cells between two facesheets fill in column by column across the panel and clear back again.
CSSInterface shear
A fibre draws out of the matrix while the shear marks along its interface tilt in a wave running back from the loaded end.
CSSPly layup
Plies stack on a tool plate as the ply being placed steps up through the laminate and back down again.
CSSQuasi-isotropic stack
Four ply directions light in turn beside their stacking sequence until the balanced rosette is complete.
CSSResin infusion
A resin flow front crosses a dry fibre preform from the inlet while the wet-out bar below tracks how far it has reached.
CSSSandwich panel
A load traverses a sandwich panel of two facesheets over a corrugated core, which deflects deepest as the load crosses mid-span.
CSSTow placement
A fibre placement head runs across the tool laying a fresh tow course beside the three already down.
CSSVacuum bag
A vacuum bag membrane draws down onto the laminate on the tool as the gauge needle swings across to full vacuum.
CSSVoid content
Voids trapped through a laminate section swell and collapse again as consolidation pressure is cycled onto the stack.
CSS