Microfailure behaviour of randomly dispersed short fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites obtained by direct SEM observation

The microfailure behaviour of thermoplastic polyamide 6,6 composites reinforced with randomly dispersed short glass fibres was studied. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out on the surface of the composites under load to observe directly the behaviour. The microfailure proceeds following the steps (1) interfacial microfailure occurs at the fibre tips, (2) the microfailure propagates along the fibre sides, (3) plastic deformation bands of the matrix occurs from the interfacial one, (4) crack opening occurs in the band and the crack grows slowly through the band, (5) finally a catastrophic crack propagation occurs through the matrix with pulling-out fibres from the matrix. A model for the microfailure mechanism of the composites is proposed and some methods to improve the mechanical properties of the composites are discussed on the basis of the mechanism.