*3.2.1.1 Fractographic observation*

Fractographic observation by SEM for the PPSGFC specimens tested under quasistatic regime evidences a mixed failure mode (delamination and shear) for the laminate submitted to compression according to what is reported by Greenhalgh for fabrics [40]. **Figure 16** shows the failure modes for the three strain rates identifying delamination with red arrows and the shear with yellow arrows. The material tested at 0.001 s<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> developed an early stage kinkband (**Figure 16b**), which indicates basic failure mode for composites under compression [38, 40, 44]. **Figure 16e** indicates the formation of a fiber bridging characteristic of mode I delamination (opening) [44].
