Microscopic failure mechanisms of fiber-reinforced polymer composites under transverse tension and compression

The mechanical behavior of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer composites subjected to tension and compression perpendicular to the fibers is studied using computational micromechanics. The representative volume element of the composite microstructure with random fiber distribution is generated, and the two dominant damage mechanisms experimentally observed – matrix plastic deformation and interfacial debonding – are included in the simulation by the extended Drucker–Prager model and cohesive zone model respectively. Progressive failure procedure for both the matrix and interface is incorporated in the simulation, and ductile criterion is used to predict the damage initiation of the matrix taking into account its sensitivity to triaxial stress state. The simulation results clearly reveal the damage process of the composites and the interactions of different damage mechanisms. It can be concluded that the tension fracture initiates as interfacial debonding and evolves as a result of interactions between interfacial debonding and matrix plastic deformation, while the compression failure is dominated by matrix plastic damage. And then the effects of interfacial properties on the damage behavior of the composites are assessed. It is found that the interfacial stiffness and fracture energy have relatively smaller influence on the mechanical behavior of composites, while the influence of interfacial strength is significant.