Evaluation of time-dependent change in fiber stress profiles during long-term pull-out tests at constant loads using Raman spectroscopy

Constant-load pull-out tests were carried out on single-fiber model composite specimens for 500 to 1,000 hours in order to investigate the time-dependent change in fiber axial stress profiles resulting from matrix creep in unidirectional continuous fiber-reinforced composites. Three resins used as the matrix materials, in which single carbon fibers were embedded, were normal epoxy, a blend with a more flexible epoxy, and UV-curable acrylic. The time-dependent change in fiber stress profiles in the constant-load pull-out tests was measured using Raman spectroscopy, and creep and relaxation tests for the matrix resins themselves were performed. It was observed that the normal epoxy matrix composite exhibited only a negligible change in the fiber stress profile with time whereas the flexible epoxy and UV-curable acrylic matrices allowed, respectively, considerable and significant changes. These observations were shown to be consistent with the creep and stress relaxation test results of the matrix resins. It was also found that the time-dependent change in fiber stress was much slower in the experiment than in the prediction based on perfect bonding at the fiber/matrix interface. The interfacial slip that occurred in the composites tested could be responsible for the gradual variation in fiber stress profiles.