A Study of the Distribution of Fiber Fragment Lengths by a Continuously Monitored Single Filament Composite Test

Abstract

A continuously monitored single-filament composite (CM-SFC) test was conducted to measure the stress at which successive fiber breaks occur in the single fiber fragmentation process. The purpose of this exercise was to explore the possibility of using this test as a simple alternative means of (i) measuring the size effect in single fibers, (ii) calculating the Weibull shape and scale parameters for fiber strength, (iii) calculating the fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength from the extrapolated value of fiber strength using the loading history of a single fragmentation test, rather than from the value of fiber strength extrapolated from extensive testing of single fibers at various gauge lengths, as is usually done. These are aspects of the SFC test which have largely been ignored so far. The results presented here confirm the possibility of using the CM-SFC test for such purposes. A possible effect of fiber pre-tensionning on fragmentation results is also briefly discussed.