Abstract
Fibre fractures which occur near, but not at, the plane of matrix failure in a composite, lead to fibre pull-out during fracture. Energy absorbed in this process contributes directly to the work of fracture and hence to the toughness of the composite.
Factors which determine the mean length of fibre pulled out during fracture are discussed for the case of composites reinforced with continuous fibres having variously spaced points of weakness. The presence of such weak points also affects the strength of the composite, but not all composites of the same strength have the same toughness. The greatest toughness for a given strength is always found in composites reinforced with discontinuous fibres.
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Cooper, G.A. The fracture toughness of composites reinforced with weakened fibres. J Mater Sci 5, 645–654 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00549748
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00549748