Prediction of matrix-initiated transverse failure in polymer composites

A study has been conducted of failure in unidirectionally-reinforced fiber composites loaded in tension normal to the fibers. The case considered is when this failure is governed by failure of the matrix rather than fiber/matrix debonding. Both yielding and cavitation-induced brittle failure of the matrix are considered. The latter mode of failure was suggested previously as the likely mode to occur in epoxies under stress stares that are purely or nearly hydrostatic tension. Three fiber packing arrangements (square, hexagonal and square-diagonal) with different fiber volume fractions were studied numerically by a finite element method to determine the local stress states. It is found that cavitation-induced brittle failure occurs much before yielding in all cases. Experimental data taken from the literature support this finding. (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Limited