The Mori–Tanaka method for composite materials with nonlinear interface debonding

We have used the Mori–Tanaka method to study the effect of nonlinear interface debonding on the constitutive behavior of composite material with high particle volume fraction. The interface debonding is characterized by a nonlinear cohesive law determined from the fracture test of the high explosive PBX 9501. Using the example of the composite material with spherical particles subject to hydrostatic tension, we show that the particle size has an important effect on the behavior of the composite material, namely hardening for small particles and softening for large particles. The critical particle size that separates the hardening and softening behavior of the composite material is determined. For the composite material with large particles, the particle/matrix interface may undergo catastrophic debonding, i.e., sudden, dynamic debonding even under static load. The energy release during catastrophic debonding can be very large, thus may trigger the reaction or detonation of high explosives. For the high explosive PBX 9501, the energy release due to catastrophic debonding of coarse (large) particles is equivalent to the free drop of the high explosive from a height of 110 m. This value become much higher, 455 m, once the debonding of fine (small) particle is accounted for.     

The cohesive law for the particle/matrix interfaces in high explosives

The debonding of particle/matrix interfaces has an important effect on the macroscopic behavior of composite materials. There are extensive analytical and numerical studies on interface debonding in composite materials based on cohesive zone models which assume a phenomenological relation between the normal (and shear) traction(s) and opening (and sliding) displacement(s) across the particle/matrix interface. However, there are little or no experiments to determine the cohesive law for particle/matrix interfaces in composite materials. In this paper, we develop a method to determine the cohesive law for particle/matrix interfaces in the high explosive PBX 9501. We use the digital image correlation technique to obtain the stress and displacement around a macroscopic crack tip in the modified compact tension experiment of PBX 9501. We use the extended Mori-Tanaka method (which accounts for the effect of interface debonding) and the equivalence of cohesive energy on the macroscale and microscale to link the macroscale compact tension experiment to the microscale cohesive law for particle/matrix interfaces. Such an approach enables us to quantitatively determine key parameters in the microscale cohesive law, namely the linear modulus, cohesive strength, and softening modulus of particle/matrix interfaces in the high explosive PBX 9501. The present study shows that Ferrante et al.'s [1982 Universal binding energy relations in metallic adhesion. In: J.M. Georges (Ed.), Microscopic Aspects of Adhesion and Lubrication, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 19-30.] cohesive law, which is established primarily for bimetallic interfaces, is not suitable to the high explosive PBX 9501.     

纤维复合材料界面横向拉伸分析

以单纤维十字型横向拉伸试验为研究对象,对纤维/基体界面采用弹性-软化双线性内聚力模型,建立了纤维复合材料在横向拉伸作用下界面法向失效过程的解析模型。得到了沿纤维/基体圆周界面的法向应力分布,纤维/基体界面的状态与界面承载力和单纤维复合材料承载力的关系,以及内聚力参数和试件几何尺寸对它们的影响。结果表明:纤维/基体圆周界面在脱粘前经历全部弹性及弹性+软化两种状态;当界面为弹性状态时,界面法向应力随界面强度线性增加;当界面为弹性+软化状态时,界面软化范围随界面裂纹萌生位移的增加而增大;界面初始脱粘位置与拉伸荷载方向重合;界面初始脱粘时的界面承载力随界面强度及界面裂纹萌生位移的增加而增加,随界面裂纹生成位移的增加而降低;单纤维复合材料的脱粘荷载受基体截面尺寸的影响,当纤维体积含量相同时,沿荷载方向截面尺寸的增大对提高脱粘荷载更显著。     

Constitutive modeling of fiber composites with a soft hyperelastic matrix

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of unidirectional carbon fiber composites with a silicone matrix, loaded transversally to the fibers. The experiments show nonlinear behavior with significant strain softening under cyclic loading. The numerical study uses a plane-strain finite element continuum model of the composite material in which the fiber distribution is based on experimental observations and cohesive elements allow debonding to take place at the fiber/matrix interfaces. It is found that accurate estimates of the initial tangent stiffness measured in the experiments can be obtained without allowing for debonding, but this feature has to be included to capture the non-linear and strain-softening behavior.     

An elastic–plastic crack bridging model for brittle-matrix fibrous composite beams under cyclic loading

A fibrous composite beam with an edge crack is submitted to a cyclic bending moment and the crack bridging actions due to the fibers. Assuming a general elastic-linearly hardening crack bridging model for the fibers and a linear-elastic law for the matrix, the statically indeterminate bridging actions are obtained from compatibility conditions. The elastic and plastic shake-down phenomena are examined in terms of generalised cross-sectional quantities and, by employing a fatigue crack growth law, the mechanical behaviour up to failure is captured. Within the framework of the proposed fracture mechanics-based model, the cyclic crack bridging due to debonding at fiber–matrix interface of short fibers is analysed in depth. By means of some simplifying assumptions, such a phenomenon can be described by a linear isotropic tensile softening/compressive hardening law. Finally, numerical examples are presented for fibrous composite beams with randomly distributed short fibers.     

Failure surface of epoxy-modified fiber-reinforced composites under transverse tension and out-of-plane shear

The mechanical behavior of uniaxially fiber-reinforced composites with a ductile rubber-toughened epoxy matrix was studied through the finite element analysis of a RVE of the composite microstructure. The fibers were represented by elastic and isotropic solids, while the rubber-modified epoxy matrix behaved as a elasto-viscoplastic solid. The matrix flow stress followed the model developed by Jeong [Jeong, H.-Y., 2002. A new yield function and a hydrostatic stress-controlled void nucleation model for porous solids with pressure-sensitive matrices. International Journal of Solids and Structures 39, 1385–1403.], which included the inherent pressure-sensitivity of the yield stress in the epoxy matrix, the damage due to the cavitation of the rubber particles and subsequent void growth, and the particular features of elastic–viscoplastic behavior in glassy polymers, particularly the intrinsic softening upon yield followed by hardening. Composites with either perfect or weak fiber/matrix interfaces (the latter introduced through cohesive elements) were studied to assess the influence of interface strength on the composite behavior. Simulations under transverse tension and out-of-plane shear were carried out to establish the effect of loading conditions on the dominant deformation and failure micromechanisms. In addition, the corresponding failure locus was obtained and compared with the predictions of current phenomenological failure criteria for composites. The range of validity of these criteria and the areas for further improvement were established by comparison with the numerical results.     

Debonding of particles in thin films

Thin composite films consisting of a matrix with embedded particles are currently being developed both as hard, wear resistant coatings and as functional surfaces. The effect of stiff particles in the film are studied for systems where the film is under residual tensile stresses. The particles, when they are fully bonded to the matrix, increase the stiffness of the composite film. In cases where the particles debond from the matrix material, the stiffness of the composite film decreases. The conditions under which the debonding process is stable are studied. For systems properly designed, a controlled debonding process of the particles can thus be used to reduce the stress levels in composite film lowering the risk for delamination of the composite film from the substrate as well as the risk of through cracks in the film. The work includes finite element based unit cell calculations of interface debonding between spherical particles and the film, and the release of residual stresses following this. The three dimensional unit cell calculations assume a periodic distribution of particles in the plane parallel to the substrate interface with equi-biaxial tension and periodicity with zero overall stress perpendicular to the substrate interface.     

SiCp/ZL101AI复合材料中的层裂微损伤演化行为

对ＳｉＣｐ／ＺＬ１０１Ａｌ复合材料进行了层裂损伤演化实验，得到了试样的层裂损伤演化图像．通过对这些微损伤演化图像的微观观察和对微损伤的统计定量分析，发现在层裂损伤演化过程中，微损伤的形成和发展不仅与应力水平、作用时间相关，而且还与材料中的微结构分布密切相关．通过层裂损伤演化实验，得到了在这种复合材料中，微裂纹在基体中的扩展速度及其与宏观应力水平的关系     

陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料的细观强度分析

陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料的失效主要有界面脱粘、增强粒子开裂等新的细观结构损伤机制。为了减小这些不足并对细观失效过程有一个清晰的了解,近来人们对金属基复合材料进行了大量研究,在此基础上,本文用细观力学的方法和损伤模型研究了陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料的强度和损伤失效。为了计算方便,陶瓷颗粒简化为在复合材料中随机分布的椭球形粒子,然后以二相胞元模型计算分析了金属基体、颗粒中的应力应变分布情况,结果表明,基体中应力极不均匀,界面区存在应力集中,并计算了界面弧形裂纹扩展时的能量。最后分别提出了基体,颗粒和界面的失效强度准则,本文结果对于颗粒增强金属基复合材料具有普遍的实用性。     

固化温度对碳纤维/环氧基体界面行为影响的分析

对界面粘结性能及热残余应力影响下的单纤维复合材料的界面行为进行了分析。采用界面的弹性-软化内聚力模型,用解析法对单纤维复合材料由固化引起的热残余应力、以及单纤维碎断过程纤维的轴向应力分布进行了模拟,得到了碳纤维/环氧树脂在常温和高温固化两种情况的界面粘结性能。结果表明：与常温固化相比,高温固化后,界面的剪切强度增幅不大,界面的断裂韧性显著增加;高温固化后形成的界面,使界面的软化提前、界面的脱粘延迟;高温固化产生的纤维轴向和界面径向热残余应力对界面的软化均有延迟作用;界面径向热残余应力还对界面的脱粘有延迟作用。     

SiCp/ZL101AI复合材料中的层裂微损伤演化行为

对ＳｉＣｐ／ＺＬ１０１Ａｌ复合材料进行了层裂损伤演化实验，得到了试样的层裂损伤演化图像．通过对这些微损伤演化图像的微观观察和对微损伤的统计定量分析，发现在层裂损伤演化过程中，微损伤的形成和发展不仅与应力水平、作用时间相关，而且还与材料中的微结构分布密切相关．通过层裂损伤演化实验，得到了在这种复合材料中，微裂纹在基体中的扩展速度及其与宏观应力水平的关系     

基于扩展有限元法的颗粒增强复合材料静态及动态断裂行为研究

运用不含裂尖增强函数的扩展有限元法,分别研究了静态及动态载荷作用下颗粒增强复合材料的断裂行为。假定基体和颗粒都为线弹性材料并且绑定完好,研究了不同颗粒位置、数量对基体裂纹尖端断裂参数的影响。数值模拟结果清晰地显示了含刚性颗粒和柔性颗粒时不同的失效机制。结果同时证明本文采用的数值方法能够准确预报颗粒增强复合材料的断裂行为,也更易于被工程界所接受     

Kevlar纤维增强复合材料动态压缩力学性能实验研究

通过实验较系统地研究了Kevlar纤维增强复合材料的动态压缩力学性能,实验结果表明,在冲击压缩载荷作用下Kevlar纤维增强复合材料有明显的损伤软化现象和应变率效应,针对Kevlar纤维增强复合材料动态应力应变实验曲线,提出了含损伤的率相关动态本构方程,由于所引入的损伤最反映了Kevlar纤维增强复合材料内部基体开裂、脱层、纤维断裂等多种破坏模式的总体效果,因此所提出的本构方程形式相对说来比较简便并易于嵌入目前有关冲击力学的有限元或有限差分程序,有一定的工程应用价值。     

微粒填充流变材料界面开裂的局部临界应力及尺寸效应的理论分析

研究了以等轴粒子填充流变材料的边界开裂机理，采用能量准则导出了以界面能表示的界面开裂局部临界应力的简洁表达式。由于临界应力正比于１√α，从而可以非常方便地研究粒子开裂的尺寸效应，以碳酸钙微粒填充的聚丙烯复合材料为例进行了理论分析，通过比较界面开裂的能量准则和张应力准则得出结论：即使按照保守的方法估算，即在界面强度等于基体强度的条件下，只要粒径不超过０．２微米，若能量准则得到满足，则张应力准则也会得     

Theoretical analysis on the local critical stress and size effect for interfacial debonding in particle reinforced rheological materials

The mechanisms of interfacial debonding of particle reinforced rheological materials are studied. Based on an energy criterion, a simple formula of local critical stress for interfacial debonding is derived and expressed in terms of the interfacial energy. The particle size effect on interface debonding can then be analyzed easily owing to the fact that critical stress is inversely proportional to the square root of particle radius. By taking PP/CaCO₃ system as an example, the present energy criterion is compared with the mechanical debonding criterion, and it is found that under the condition that bond strength is equal to matrix strength and particle radius not over 0.2μm, the mechanical debonding criterion can be automatically satisfied if the energy criterion is satisfied. A relation between critical time and interface energy is calculated by using the energy criterion. The influences of the particle volume fraction and the parlicle size, the loading rate and the relaxation time of the matrix on the critical time of interfacial debonding are also discussed. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19632030 and 19872007) and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province.     

Interaction between edge dislocations and amorphous interphase in carbon nanotubes reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites incorporating interface effect

Dislocations mobility and stability in the carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) can significantly affect the mechanical properties of the composites. However, current processing techniques often lead to the formation of coated CNT (amorphous interphase exists between the reinforcement and metal matrix), which have large impact upon the image force exerting on dislocations. Even though the importance of the interphase zone formed in metal matrix composites has been demonstrated by many studies for elastic properties, the influence of interphase on the local elastoplastic behavior of CNT-reinforced MMNCs is still an open issue. This paper puts forward a three-phase composite cylinder model with new boundary conditions. In this model, the interaction between edge dislocations and a coated CNT incorporating interface effect is investigated. The explicit expressions for the stress fields and the image force acting on an edge dislocation are proposed. In addition, plastic flow occurring around the coated reinforcement is addressed. The influences of interface condition and the material properties of coated CNT on the glide/climb force are clearly analyzed. The results indicate that the interface effect becomes remarkable when the radius of the coated reinforcement is below 10 nm. In addition, different from the traditional particles, the coated CNT attracts the adjacent edge dislocations, causing pronounced local hardening at the interface between the interphase and the metal matrix under certain conditions. It is concluded that the presence of the interphase can have a profound effect on the local stress field in CNT-reinforced MMNCs. Finally, the condition of the dislocations stability and the equilibrium numbers of dislocations at a given size grain are evaluated for considering the interface effect.     

Prediction of overall tension behavior of short fiber-reinforced composites

The bridging stress of fibers along the crack surface plays an important role in analyzing the tension behavior of short or long fiber-reinforced composites. This paper uses the inclusion theory to obtain the expression of bridging stress for short fiber reinforced composite (SFRC) . A simplified model with periodically distributed fibers is proposed to estimate the average fiber spacings. The total fracture resistance is calculated as an energy summation including interface debonding energy dissipation, frictional sliding work between fibers and matrix, strain energy increment of fibers and matrix. The bend over point (BOP) stress is calculated by this fracture resistance. The necessary conditions of the fibers and matrix for the multiple cracking in SFRCs are discussed and the expression of ultimate external stress is derived. The critical fiber volume fraction for the strain hardening response is determined by an iteration method. In the meanwhile, the average spacing between two short fibers is proposed by a periodical distribution assumption. The theoretical prediction is compared with experimental data.     

Free and forced nonlinear oscillations of a two-layer composite beam with interface slip

Free and forced flexural nonlinear vibrations of a two-layer beam are investigated. Each beam is assumed to have Euler?CBernoulli kinematics and free-free boundary conditions. The interface allows only nonlinear elastic slip between adjacent sides of the beams, so that the transversal displacement is unique. Free vibrations are considered first by the multiple time scale method, which allows to determine the amplitude dependent nonlinear natural frequencies of the system. It is shown that the nonlinear coefficient of the backbone curve is positive, so that hardening/softening behavior of the interface generates hardening/softening behavior of the whole structure. The modifications of the linear normal modes for moderate excitation amplitudes have been computed. Forced and damped nonlinear oscillations are then considered by the same mathematical method, and the nonlinear frequency response curves are obtained.     

Stiffness properties of particulate composites containing debonded particles

This paper considers the problem of determining the nonlinear bimodular stiffness properties, i.e., the tensile and compressive Young’s moduli and Poisson’s ratios, and the shear modulus, of particulate composite materials with particle–matrix interfacial debonding. It treats the general case in which some of the particles are debonded while the others remain intact. The Mori–Tanaka approach is extended to formulate the method of solution for the present problem. The resulting auxiliary problem of a single debonded particle in an infinite matrix subjected to a remote stress equal to the average matrix stress, for which Eshelby’s solution does not exist, is solved by the finite element method accounting for the particle–matrix separation and contact at the debonded particle–matrix interface. Because of the nonlinear nature of the problem, an iterative process is employed in calculating the stiffness properties. The predicted stiffness properties are compared to the exact solutions of the stiffness properties of particulate composites with body-centered cubic packing arrangement.