Edge damage: Caused by the mishandling of components.

Common features of edge damage are splitting and

delaminations. Edge delaminations can arise from high
out-of-plane normal or shearing stresses produced in
the vicinity of free edges, as shown in Figure A2.4 and
illustrated in Figure A2.15. For a further description, see
delaminations.
Erosion: The removal of surface material through wear and
abrasion is called erosion (Figure A2.16). During ero-
sion, outer matrix material and fiber are effectively
removed. This will cause localized strength and stiff-
ness degradation and produce an area of asymme-
try, where out-of-plane stresses may be induced; this
degradation effect will depend on the depth of erosion.

Cut Fibers

Matrix Cracks
Delamination

Figure A2.15 Principal in-service damage types.

Figure A2.16 Surface erosion.