This paper studies the crack and electrical resistance behaviors of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based polymer composites under mixed-mode I/II loading by theoretical and experimental approaches. Mixed-mode fracture tests were performed on single-edge cracked plate specimens of the nanocomposites, and the electrical resistance of the specimens was measured. Also, the crack growth direction was predicted by a fracture mechanics approach. In addition, an analytical model based on the electrical conduction mechanism of CNT-based composites was developed to describe the electrical resistance change as a result of inclined crack growth. The predictions on the crack growth direction and the crack induced resistance change were compared with the experimental data, and good agreements were found.
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