Hans Lilholt

Fiber pull-out test and single fiber fragmentation test - analysis and modelling

A mathematical model is developed for the analysis of the fiber debonding phase of a pull-out experiment where the matrix is supported at the same end as the fiber is loaded in tension. The mechanical properties of the fiber/matrix are described in terms of two parameters, a fracture energy for fiber/matrix debonding and a frictional sliding shear stress. Results for the debond length and fiber debond displacement are compared with results from similar models for single fiber pull-out experiments where the specimen is gripped at the end opposite to the end where the fiber is pulling-out and with results for a single fiber fragmentation test.

Mechanical Characterization and Fractography of Glass Fiber/Polyamide (PA6) Composites

The mechanical properties of the glass fiber reinforced Polyamide (PA6) composites made by prepreg tapes and commingled yarns were studied by in-plane compression, short-beam shear, and flexural tests. The composites were fabricated with different fiber volume contents (prepregs—47%, 55%, 60%, and commingled—48%, 48%, 49%, respectively) by using vacuum consolidation technique. To evaluate laminate quality in terms of fiber wet-out at filament level, homogeneity of fiber/matrix distribution, and matrix/fiber bonding standard microscopic methods like optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. Both commingled and prepreg glass fiber/PA6 composites (with Vf ? 48%) give mechanical properties such as compression strength (530–570 MPa), inter-laminar shear strength (70–80 MPa), and transverse strength (80–90 MPa). By increasing small percentage in the fiber content show significant rise in compression strength, slight decrease in the ILSS and transverse strengths, whereas semipreg give very poor properties with the slight increase in fiber content. Overall comparison of mechanical properties indicates commingled glass fiber/PA6 composite shows much better performance compared with prepregs due to uniform distribution of fiber and matrix, better melt-impregnation while processing, perfect alignment of glass fibers in the composite. This study proves again that the presence of voids and poor interface bonding between matrix/fiber leads to decrease in the mechanical properties. Fractographic characterization of post-failure surfaces reveals information about the cause and sequence of failure

Interfaces between a fibre and its matrix

The interface between a fibre and its matrix represents an important element in the characterization and exploitation of composite materials. Both theoretical models and analyses of experimental data have been presented in the literature since modern composite were developed and many experiments have been performed. A large volume of results for a wide range of composite systems exists, but rather little comparison and potential consistency have been reached for fibres and/or for matrices. Recently a materials mechanics approach has been presented to describe the interface by three parameters, the interfacial energy [J/m2], the interfacial frictional shear stress [MPa] and the mismatch strain [-] between fibre and matrix. The model has been used for the different modes of fibre pull-out and fibre fragmentation. In this paper it is demonstrated that the governing equations for the experimental parameters (applied load, debond length and relative fibre/matrix displacement) are rather similar for these test modes. A simplified analysis allows the direct determination of the three interface parameters from two plots for the experimental data. The complete analysis is demonstrated for steel fibres in polyester matrix. The analysis of existing experimental literature data is demonstrated for steel fibres in epoxy matrix and for tungsten wires in copper matrix. These latter incomplete analyses show that some results can be obtained even if all three experimental parameters are not recorded.