Effect of stress transfer between fiber and matrix on toughness of polymer composite

Abstract Thanks to their lightweight properties, formability and low cost, polymers have become an essential material for manufactured products. To improve the mechanical properties, almost all polymers are blended with some kind of fiber made from glass, carbon, organic or natural material. The importance of interfacial strength between matrix and fiber is a well known requirement for effective mechanical properties and some experimental results indicate that low interfacial strength helps increase the toughness of composites. In this paper, models of composite reinforced by fiber aligned with maximum principal stress under uni‐tensile loading are simulated. Based on the simulation result, we discuss the effect of interfacial strength, aspect ratio of fiber and friction force between matrix and fiber on stable deformation and provide the guidelines for establishing composites with high modulus and toughness. POLYM. COMPOS. 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers