The combined fractographic and simple stress analysis showed that there are several mechanisms responsible for a relatively high delamination resistance of laminates reinforced with fabrics. It was concluded that they result from yarn weaves and curvatures produced in the course of weaving.

The present paper investigates the effects of variable-amplitude loads on fatigue crack growth rates for the 2024-T3 aluminium alloy on the basis of microfractographic analyses and its capacity to reconstruct load-time histories of failed components. For this purpose, there were applied three different variable-amplitude load sequences with single and multiple overloads and underloads. Subsequently, images of fatigue striations on components’ fracture surfaces were examined. The aforementioned loads were employed when simulating fatigue crack behaviour in aeronautical alloys.

Fatigue crack growth for 2024-T3 Alclad aluminium alloy sheet being subjected to two load programs: a constant stress amplitude cyclic tension (R=O. l) (CA) and a variable amplitude tension with either a single or multiple overloads (OVL) periodically repeated is analysed in the paper. The latter load program corresponds to a simple flight simulation spectrum of wing structure of civil aircraft. The investigation was developed in order to learn about interaction between the applied load and formation of fatigue striations. Experimental results of surface crack growth rate provided by optical observations were compared with the rate determined on the basis of microfracture analysis. Good correspondence found under CA loading between the surface growth rate and the growth rate in the sheet depth means that the direction of specimen's cutting does not change essentially the crack growth behaviour. In the case of second loading (OVL) this factor influences the crack growth behaviour. Microfracture analysis revealed either retardation and acceleration of crack growth rate under OL V loading. This behaviour of growth rate results from a plastic zone formed in the front of crack tip and a crack closure effect.