Composite Materials

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 sample under uniaxial 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)