What commonly causes delamination in composite materials?

Delamination in composite materials is primarily associated with the separation of layers due to various environmental and mechanical factors. Moisture infiltration and mechanical impact are significant contributors to this issue. When moisture penetrates the composite layers, it can cause a breakdown of adhesion between those layers, leading to separation or delamination. Similarly, mechanical impacts can create localized damage that disrupts the bond between layers, resulting in delamination.

While high temperatures during manufacturing and incorrect resin curing could lead to issues such as incomplete bonding, they do not typically cause delamination in the way that moisture and mechanical impacts do. Excessive weight can cause other forms of failure like buckling or fracture but doesn't specifically lead to delamination as moisture and impact do. Therefore, understanding the environmental and physical stresses that composites face is crucial when assessing the risks of delamination.