Tensile strength of composites with brittle reaction zones at interfaces

A theoretical model of the longitudinal strength of brittle fibre-reinforced composites with brittle reaction zones was presented for both cases of strongly and weakly bonded fibre/brittle zone interfaces. First, on the basis of the fracture mechanics, a model of the strength of the fibres coated with strongly adhering brittle zones was proposed as a function of the thickness of the brittle zones. Next, the conditions under which debonding occurs at the interfaces were investigated with the aid of the shear lag analysis proposed by Cox. The theoretical model was then examined using composites with strongly and weakly bonded interfaces. The proposed model agreed fairly well with the experimental results. Finally, the permissible thickness of the brittle zone below which no reduction in fibre strength appears was calculated, using the proposed theory, under the condition of strong interfacial bonding, for carbon, boron and silicon carbide fibres which are of practical use. The calculated values of the thickness were smaller than 1 m.