The mechanical behaviour of PVC short-fibre composites

Abstract

Competitive deformation processes between interfacial “debonding” and matrix cracking at the fibre ends is shown for the short-fibre reinforced composites of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The increase of interfacial shear strength by chemical coupling prevents early failure at the interface, thus increasing the tensile failure stress of short-fibre composites. The previously proposed general yield criterion for PVC and its short-fibre composites is also examined. No significant effect due to improved fibre-matrix adhesion on the upper shear yielding of short-fibre composites is observed. The matrix flow in the post-yield region is less restricted when debonding occurs.