The Effect of Debonding Angle on the Reduction of Effective Moduli of Particle and Fiber-Reinforced Composites

In an effort to uncover the effect of interfacial partial debonding on the reduction of composite stiffness, a reduced moduli approach is proposed for the fictitious inclusions which are used to replace the original partially debonded inclusions. The fictitious inclusions are now perfectly bonded to the matrix and any micromechanical theory can be called upon to estimate the moduli of the composite. Using the volume of the inclusion directly beneath the interfacial cracks under the considered loading mode as a measure of damage, a set of anisotropic damage parameters is established in terms of the debonding angle, providing the reduced moduli for the fictitious inclusions. Specific considerations include debonding on the top and bottom of spheres and prolate inclusions, debonding on the lateral surface of spheres and oblate inclusions, and debonding on the top and bottom of circular fibers and elliptic cylinders. The reductions of the five transversely isotropic moduli for the partially debonded particle composites and the nine orthotropic moduli for the partially debonded fiber composites are examined as the debonding angle increases. The theory is also compared with some finite element results, and it suggests that the concept proposed to estimate the reduced moduli of the fictitious inclusions is a viable one.