Abstract
In this chapter the crack resistance of composites is characterised. Composite materials show extended damage zones in front of the crack tip comparable to plastic zones of homogeneous materials. The energy dissipation processes within these damage zones are qualitatively and quantitatively described. These include fibre breakage, interface debonding and sliding, local matrix plasticity and matrix fracture. On the basis of this knowledge, different fracture mechanics parameters are discussed, including critical stress intensity factor, critical energy release rate, work of fracture and essential work of fracture. All these quantities are given as functions of the fibre, interface and matrix properties, and structural parameters such as volume fraction and/or fibre orientation.
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