In situ observation of interfacial debonding process induced by matrix crack propagation in two-dimensional unidirectional model composites

Interfacial debonding behavior is studied for unidirectional fiber reinforced composites from both experimental and analytical viewpoints. A new type of two-dimensional unidirectional model composite is prepared using 10 boron fibers and transparent epoxy resin with two levels of interfacial strength. In situ observation of the internal mesoscopic fracture process is carried out using the single edge notched specimen under static loading. The matrix crack propagation, the interfacial debonding growth and the interaction between them are directly observed in detail. As a result, the interfacial debonding is clearly accelerated in specimens with weakly bonded fibers in comparison with those with strongly bonded fibers. Secondary, three-dimensional finite element analysis is carried out in order to reproduce the interfacial debonding behavior. The experimentally observed relation between the mesoscopic fracture process and the applied load is given as the boundary condition. We successfully evaluate the mode II interfacial debonding toughness and the effect of interfacial frictional shear stress on the apparent mode II energy release rate separately by employing the present model composite in combination with the finite element analysis. The true mode II interfacial debonding toughness for weaker interface is about 0.4 times as high as that for a stronger interface. The effect of the interfacial frictional shear stress on the apparent mode II energy release rate for the weak interface is about 0.07 times as high as that for the strong interface. The interfacial frictional shear stress and the coefficient of friction for weak interface are calculated as 0.25 and 0.4 times as high as those for strong interface, respectively.     

The influence of interface reaction zone on interfacial fracture toughness of SiC fiber reinforced titanium matrix composites

A fiber-reaction zone-matrix three-phase model is developed to evaluate the interfacial fracture toughness of titanium alloys reinforced by SiC monofilaments. Based on fracture mechanics, theoretical equations of G_IIc are presented, and the effects of several key factors such as crack length and the interface reaction zone thickness on the critical applied stress necessary for crack growth and interfacial fracture toughness are discussed. Finally, the interfacial fracture toughness of typical composites including Sigma1240/Ti-6Al-4V, SCS-6/Ti-6Al-4V, SCS-6/Timetal 834, SCS-6/Timetal 21s, SCS-6/Ti-24Al-11Nb and SCS-6/Ti-15V-3Cr are predicted by the model. The results show that the model can reliably predict the interfacial fracture toughness of the titanium matrix composites.     

Evaluation on the interfacial fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites by push out test

The models for single-fiber push out test are developed to evaluate the fracture toughness G_IIc of the fiber/matrix interface in titanium alloys reinforced by SiC monofilaments. The models are based on fracture mechanics, taking into consideration of the free-end surface and Poisson expansion. Theoretical solutions to G_IIc are obtained, and the effects of several key factors such as the initial crack length, crack length, friction coefficient, and interfacial frictional shear stress are discussed. The predictions by the models are compared with the previous finite element analysis results for the interfacial toughness of the composites including Sigma1240/Ti-6-4, SCS/Ti-6-4, SCS/Timetal 834, and SCS/Timetal 21s. The results show that the models can reliably predict the interfacial toughness of the titanium matrix composites, in which interfacial debonding usually occurs at the bottom of the samples.     

A review on the research progress of push-out method in testing interfacial properties of SiC fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites

Experimental analysis of single-fiber push-out for SiC fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs) is complicated by the incorporation of large thermal residual stresses, strong chemical bond of the fiber/matrix interface and matrix plastic deformation. This paper summarizes the development of push-out test and the characteristics of push-out test for TMCs such as crack initiating at the bottom face and theoretical analysis of the test. Moreover, it deeply analyzes the progresses of interfacial shear strength and fracture toughness, and work focus is pointed out in future.     

Predicting Interfacial Strengthening Behaviour of Particulate-Reinforced MMC — A Micro-mechanistic Approach

The fracture properties of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) are influenced by several factors, such as particle size, inter-particle spacing and volume fraction of the reinforcement. In addition, complex microstructural mechanisms, such as precipitation hardening induced by heat treatment processing, affect the fracture toughness of MMCs. Precipitates that are formed at the particle/matrix interface region, lead to improvement of the interfacial strength, and hence enhancement of the macroscopic strength properties of the composite material. In this paper, a micro-mechanics model, based on thermodynamics principles, is proposed to determine the fracture strength of the interface at a segregated state in MMCs. This model uses energy considerations to express the fracture toughness of the interface in terms of interfacial critical strain energy release rate and elastic modulus. The interfacial fracture toughness is further expressed as a function of the macroscopic fracture toughness and mechanical properties of the composite, using a toughening mechanism model based on crack deflection and interface cracking. Mechanical testing is also performed to obtain macroscopic data, such as the fracture strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness of the composite, which are used as input to the model. Based on the experimental data and the analysis, the interfacial strength is determined for SiC particle-reinforced aluminium matrix composites subjected to different heat treatment processing conditions.     

On the use of single fibre composites testing to characterise the interface in natural fibre composites

In recent years, natural fibre composites have received considerable attention as a serious contender to replace glass fibres in composite material applications. One of the key aspects in composite materials is the interface between the reinforcing fibres and the matrix and a critical assessment of the interfacial bond is needed for a successful design of the final component. Natural fibres possess many intriguing advantages over man-made fibres such as glass, but they also present serious difficulties, especially in terms of material heterogeneity and more specifically in terms of fibre diameter. In this sense, most of the traditional methods for interfacial characterisation are difficult to apply, since the required data reduction involves the use of stress analysis or fracture mechanics approaches in which the fibre diameter is a critical parameter. In the present study, interfacial characterisation is discussed for flax fibre/polypropylene composites and a sensitivity analysis is presented for the single fibre fragmentation test. The results indicate that traditional stress analysis fails to correctly assess the interface, whilst a statistical based data analysis can overcome the fibre heterogeneity problem.     

Evaluation of the geopolymer/nanofiber interfacial bond strength and their effects on Mode-I fracture toughness of geopolymer matrix at high temperature

The present article has reported the effects of several nanofiller’s aspect ratio, length and interfacial strength on Mode-I fracture toughness (K_IC) of geopolymer as the matrix of continuous fibre reinforced composites. These nanofillers have been chosen based on the variations in the surface chemistry and nature of interfacial bonding with geopolymer, which include Carbon, Alumina and Silicon carbide. Geopolymer matrix was subjected to the addition of single volume fraction, 2% of each type of nanofiller with two aspect ratios, designated as nanoparticles and nanofibers. Notched beam flexure tests (SEVNB) of neat and each nanofiller reinforced samples suggest that, while baseline K_IC of neat geopolymer improved with heat treatment, nanofibers with high interfacial bond strength showed maximum capability in further improving K_IC. Among those nanofibers, 2 vol% Silicon Carbide Whisker (SCW) showed the largest improvement in K_IC of geopolymer, which is ~164%. After heat treatment at 650 °C, SCW reinforcement was also found to be effective, with only ~28% lower than the reinforcing performance at 250 °C, while the performance of Alumina Nanofiber reinforced geopolymer notably reduced. SEM and EDS analysis suggested that the inhomogeneity in neat geopolymer and length of nanofibers control the reinforcing capability as well as crack propagation resistance of geopolymer. For instance, minimum length of nanofillers to toughen this geopolymer at 250 °C was required as ~2 μm. The results further suggested that the sample failure occurred due to the dominance of tensile failure of nanofibers over the interfacial separation.     

Effects of fibre surface treatment on fracture-mechanical properties of sisal-fibre composites

Sisal fibre reinforced composites, one class of a broad range of eco-composite materials, were studied in connection with the effects of fibre surface treatment on their fracture-mechanical properties. Previous investigations on sisal fibre and its composites have been fully reviewed [1], which provided an impetus for this research. Two fibre surface treatment methods, chemical coupling based on silane and oxidization based on permanganate and dicumyl peroxide, together with untreated sisal fiber composites were used to set up different levels of interface bonding strength. The interface effects on the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of sisal fibre reinforced vinyl-ester composites were completely assessed based on the test results obtained and theoretical analyses. Many aspects of studies reported in this paper are original, such as single fiber pull-out tests and toughness evaluation of sisal composites aided by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that fibre surface treatment could improve interfacial bonding properties between sisal fibre and vinylester resin. These in turn influenced the fracture-mechanical characteristics of this class of ecocomposites.     

Viscoelasticity of a polymer matrix and fracture of heat-resistant fiber composites

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the general regularities of deformation and fracture of fiber composite materials based on new heat-resistant polymer binders. Fiber composites based on these binders can find wide application in various fields of engineering. It is established that an increase in the loss modulus of the polymer matrix decreases the probability of formation of a brittle crack in the matrix at the fiber break and increases the time interval between breakages of adjacent fibers. This leads to retardation of the correlated breakage of the fibers in fiber composite materials under loading, i.e., to an increase in their strength and fracture toughness. The inference is made that the matrix of high-strength heat-resistant fiber composites with a high fracture toughness should possess not only a high elasticity (this has long been known) but also good dissipative properties over the entire temperature range of operation.     

Numerical study of the single fibre push-out test: Part III. Singularity of interface stresses

The singular behaviour at the free edges of the fibre-matrix interface is analysed for the fibre push-out test geometry based on the boundary element method. The fibre push-out test has been extensively used to measure the fibre-matrix interfacial properties in polymer, ceramic and metal matrix composites. There are two free edges in the fibre push-out specimen: one is at the loaded fibre end and the other at the supported fibre end. The singular stresses can be expressed as a function of singular exponent and singular stress intensity. It is shown that the singular exponents obtained at both fibre ends are characteristic of composite constituent properties, such as Young's moduli of fibre and matrix, and does not vary with specimen dimensions. The singular exponents are real and identical for the shear and radial stress components at fibre ends where the wedge angles are the same. The singular stress intensities are also implicit in material properties, and vary with specimen dimensions, such as fibre to matrix radius ratio, fibre aspect ratio and support hole size. An interfacial failure criterion is proposed here based on the average stress concept to determine the critical singular stress intensities in mode I and mode II loads.     

Relationship between fibre-matrix adhesion and the interfacial shear strength in polymer-based composites

A model is proposed to correlate the interfacial shear strength at the fibre-matrix interface, measured by means of a fragmentation test on single fibre composites, to the reversible work of adhesion between both solids, this quantity being defined as the sum of the dispersive and the acid-base interactions (physical interactions) between the fibre and the matrix. Whatever the nature of the fibres and the matrices, a linear relationship, passing through the origin, is established between the interfacial shear strength and the reversible work of adhesion. However, the slope of this straight line depends on the elastic properties and, more precisely, on the elastic moduli of both the fibre and the matrix. This leads us to express the reversible work of adhesion as the product of a mean intermolecular distance at the interface and an adhesive pressure related to the interfacial shear strength. The limits of the theoretical and experimental approaches leading to the establishment of such a model, as well as its domain of validity, are discussed.     

Physico-chemical characterization of the fibre/matrix interaction in polyethylene fibre/epoxy matrix composites

The interphase in polyethylene fibre/epoxy matrix composites is studied with FT-IR microspectroscopy using a set-up to investigate the matrix as close to the fibre as a few μm or less. It is shown that moisture present on the fibre surface is able to influence the polymerization reaction of the epoxy/anhydride matrix in an irreversible manner. This effect is enhanced for composites from the more hydrophilic polyvinylalcohol fibre. The fibre/matrix interaction in these thermoplastic fibre composites is also studied with DSC through the characterization of the fibre melting. A decreased 'DSC interaction parameter' is found if the composition of the interphase is changed by moisture. For a composite with an epoxy/amine matrix, on the other hand, the DSC interaction parameter is unaffected by moisture from the fibre surface.     

Effect of surface treatment condition on interfacial degradation behavior in GFRP under acidic conditions

Interfacial degradation behavior of E-glass cloth reinforced vinyl ester resin under acidic conditions has been investigated. Specimens with different surface treatment conditions were prepared. Mode I fracture toughness tests were performed using DCB specimen, and the effect of surface treatment condition and immersion time on the crack propagation behavior is discussed. The crack propagation behavior changes as a function of the condition of the silane coupling agent and the immersion time due to the degradation of the interphase. A technique is proposed to evaluate the interfacial property. The change of fracture toughness of interphase and resin as a function of immersion time is studied by the crack propagation behavior and the fracture toughness of interphase and resin evaluated by this technique. The fracture toughness of interphase decreases rapidly with immersion in acidic solution.     

Dislocation Plasticity Effects on Interfacial Fracture

Analyses are reviewed where plastic flow in the vicinity of an interfacial crack is represented in terms of the nucleation and glide of discrete dislocations. Attention is confined to cracks along a metal-ceramic interface, with the ceramic idealized as being rigid. Both monotonic and fatigue loading are considered. The main focus is on the stress and deformation fields near the crack tip predicted by discrete dislocation plasticity, in comparison with those obtained from conventional continuum plasticity theory. The role that discrete dislocation plasticity can play in interpreting interface fracture properties in the presence of plastic flow is discussed.     

A general model for hydrogen trapping at the inclusion-matrix interface and its relation to crack initiation

Abstract

The role of non-metallic inclusions in hydrogen-induced failure of structural materials has been a controversial topic for many years. In this paper, hydrogen trapping and its relation to the crack initiation at the inclusion-matrix interfaces are studied by considering the interfacial structure and the interaction between the dissolved hydrogen atoms and the elastic strains produced by lattice matching and misfit dislocations. A model is proposed to analyse the change of interfacial structure with inclusion size and its relation to hydrogen trapping. Hydrogen accumulation at the interfaces is quantitatively analysed. The obtained results are in good agreement with the experimental observations. The multiple factors, such as interfacial structure, chemical composition, elastic properties of matrix and inclusions, crystallographic relationship between inclusions and matrix, inclusion morphology and size, simultaneously control hydrogen trapping. In addition, the mechanism of hydrogen-induced crack initiation at the interface is investigated. A criterion is proposed to determine critical conditions for crack initiation. For the first time, the inherent relationship between hydrogen trapping and hydrogen-induced cracking at the interface is clarified. This work paves a way for an in-depth understanding of the effects of inclusions on hydrogen-induced degradation of mechanical properties.     

Effect of inclusions on heterogeneous crack nucleation in nanocomposites

A two-dimensional theoretical model is proposed for the heterogeneous nucleation of a grain-boundary nanocrack in a nanocomposite consisting of a nanocrystalline matrix and nanoinclusions whose elastic moduli are identical to those of the matrix. The inclusions have the form of rods with a rectangular cross section and undergo dilatation eigenstrain induced by the differences in the lattice parameters and thermal expansion coefficients of the matrix and inclusions. In terms of the model, a mode-I–II nanocrack nucleates at the negative disclination of a biaxial dipole consisting of wedge grain-boundary (or junction) disclinations; then, the nanocrack opens along a grain boundary and reaches an inclusion boundary. Depending on the relative positions and orientations of the initial segment of the nanocrack and the inclusion, the nanocrack can either penetrate into the inclusion or bypass it along the matrix-inclusion interface. The nanocrack nucleation probability increases near an inclusion with negative (compressive) dilatation eigenstrain. A decrease in the inclusion size decreases (increases) the probability of a crack opening along the interface if the dilatation eigenstrain is negative (positive).     

The measurement of cohesive and interfacial toughness for bonded metal joints with epoxy adhesives

The types of crack growth in adhesive joints are reviewed and three are identified, namely central cohesive, asymmetric cohesive and interfacial. Test methods for measuring fracture toughness associated with these cracks are then outlined and include a Tapered Double Cantilever Beam (TDCB) test for a central cohesive crack and peel tests on flexible laminates for the other types of crack. In particular, fixed arm and mandrel peel tests are used. Two aerospace adhesives are used to prepare test specimens in order to conduct these tests. For one of these adhesives, all three types of crack growth were recorded and this provided an opportunity to make detailed comparisons of the three associated fracture toughness values. Of particular interest was the use of the mandrel peel method because it enabled a fracture transition (asymmetric cohesive to interfacial fracture) to be observed during the test. The fracture toughness value associated with a central cohesive crack was similar in magnitude to that for an asymmetric cohesive crack. However, the fracture toughness for interfacial fracture was much lower, but similar in magnitude to the expected value of half the fracture toughness from a TDCB test.     

A study on ultramicrohardness distribution near interfaces between reinforcement and matrix in some aluminum matrix composites

The ultramicrohardness distribution near the interface in the matrix of some aluminum matrix composites is investigated. The results show that, in metal matrix composites (MMCs), with increase in distance to the reinforcement–matrix interface the ultramicrohardness presents a progressively decreased gradient distribution in the matrix. The non-uniform distribution degree (NDD) can be defined by the ratio between the maximum hardness near the interface and the average hardness far away from the interface. The relative dimension of the gradient distribution area (RDGDA) can be defined by the ratio between the absolute dimension of the gradient distribution area (ADGDA) and the reinforcement size. The NDD varies to a great extent, of the order of 1.45–10.0, which is strongly related to the composite system (reinforcement size, morphology, interspaces, matrix composition), fabrication condition and heat treatment. The RDGDA is about 0.2–2.0. A larger reinforcement size and angular shape of reinforcement would lead to a higher NDD and smaller RDGDA. In addition, adding proper elements into the matrix, lowering fabrication temperature, increasing cooling rate and carrying out thermal cycling would result in a lower NDD. But the aging treatment would produce a larger NDD.     

Interfacial adhesion between semi-crystalline polymers (polypropylene and nylon-6): in situ compatibilized interface and fracture mechanism

The interfacial fracture toughness between semi-crystalline polymers (polyamide/polypropylene) were studied to understand the failure mechanisms at the interface, especially when the interface was reinforced by an in situ compatibilizer. Based on the observation of the interface using scanning electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray spectroscopy, it was revealed that crystalline structure of polypropylene was not affected by the in situ compatibilizer at the interface. The reinforcing mechanism could be qualitatively identified by investigating the evolution of fracture toughness as a function of annealing time and temperature. The adhesion strength increased with the annealing time. Depending on the annealing temperature, the fracture toughness passed a peak value and then reached a plateau after some bonding time. As long as the chain length of the compatibilizer is long enough to form entanglements with the molecules at both bulk sides, the fracture at the interface is decided by the balance between adhesion strength at the interface and cohesive strength in the weak modulus side; the failure locus follows the lower one. Thus, adhesive failure occurred first when the reaction at the interface did not occur long enough to provide high adhesive strength at the interface, but the cohesive failure occurred in the crack propagation side after the adhesive strength value became higher than the cohesive strength value.     

Interfacial structure and mechanical properties of MgLi matrix composites

The study on interfacial structure and tensile properties of MgLi matrix composites. The results showed that there was a clear interface between the MgLi matrix and SiC whiskers. Calculation of thermodynamics confirmed that the clear interface between the matrix and SiC whiskers may contribute to the low reactionary potential or the low reactionary dynamics. However, some SiC whiskers were attacked. As a result, SiC whiskers connected with matrix in {111} and formed 70.5° or 109.5° stages on the whiskers surface in {111} face. The reason was the lower interfacial energy of {111} face. Tensile test confirmed that the SiC_w /MgLiAl composites showed higher tensile strength and higher modulus compared with MgLi matrix. Moreover, the specific strength and specific modulus were also increased obviously.