Materials and Structure

Crack Propagation

De-bonding at the fiber matrix interface, fiber and matrix fracture, and fiber pullout are involved in the propagation of cracks in composite lamellae. The diagram illustrates these processes for a transverse crack propagating normal to the fiber direction in a uniaxial composite sample under longitudinal tension. The matrix crack reaches the fiber an delamination occurs (b), fiber fracture is shown in (c) followed by fiber pullout in (d).

From: Schaffer, et al,
"The Science & Design of Engineering Materials," Irwin (1995)