Helicopter rotor yoke

1. A helicopter rotor yoke, comprising:

a composite laminate including a plurality of plies of fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix, having a flexure portion at one of a location or zone that experiences high strain levels during use of the rotor yoke, the composite laminate having;

a first ply;

a second ply;

a partially extending ply that partially extends through the composite laminate located between the first ply and the second ply;

wherein a void is created by the partially extending ply between the first ply and the second ply;

the flexure portion in the composite laminate disposed proximate an end of the partially extending ply;

a layer of toughened polymer disposed between the first ply and the partially extending ply;

a layer of toughened polymer disposed in the flexure portion in the composite laminate between the first ply and the second ply, thereby filling the void from the partially extending ply;

a layer of toughened polymer disposed between the second ply and the partially extending ply;

wherein the layers of toughened polymer elastically deforms inhibiting delamination of the helicopter yoke.

2. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the toughened polymer is a toughened epoxy.

3. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the first ply exhibits a fiber orientation different from a fiber orientation of the second ply.

4. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the second ply includes a toughened polymer.

5. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 4 , wherein the first ply exhibits a fiber orientation different from a fiber orientation of the second ply.

6. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the toughened polymer is disposed proximate a midplane of the rotor yoke.

7. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 6 , wherein the toughened polymer exists as a layer between plies.

8. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 6 , wherein the toughened polymer exists in one or more plies of the composite laminate.

9. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the toughened polymer is disposed at a location or within a zone where a shear lag is desirable.

10. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the toughened polymer is incorporated into a portion of the helicopter yoke exhibiting a tapered cross section.

11. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plies of the composite laminate include marcelled fibers disposed in the toughened polymer.

12. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein:

one or more of the plies of the composite laminate include marcelled fibers; and

the toughened polymer exists as a layer adhesively bonding the one or more plies that include marcelled fibers.

13. The helicopter yoke, according to claim 1 , wherein the toughened polymer comprises:

an elastomeric material.