Debonding at the fiber/matrix interface in carbon nanotube reinforced composites: Modelling investigation

Debonding at the fiber/matrix interface is an important failure mechanism in composite materials. It controls, among others, the intralaminar cracking process. A large amount of experimental data exists indicating that the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a composite can hinder onset and development of these cracks. Here we report results of a modelling study aiming to better understand the effect of carbon nanotubes on the fiber/ matrix debonding. The study is performed on an example of a carbon fiber/epoxy unidirectional composite with two practically realizable CNT configurations: agglomerated CNTs in the matrix and CNTs grown on fibers. The composites are subjected to transverse tension. The stress distribution prior to debonding is predicted using a two-scale finite element model based on the embedded element technique. The onset and propagation of the debond are then analyzed using a surface-based cohesive zone model with a linear traction-separation law. Our results show that CNTs have a strong effect on the stress distribution in the matrix and the debonding process, although their effect on the latter is less pronounced. CNT agglomerates are found to act as stiff microscopic inclusions leading to magnification of stress concentrations and earlier initiation of the debonding process. The composites with CNTs grown on fibers, on the other hand, show suppression of stress concentrations at the interface and slight delay in the debonding onset compared to the composite without CNTs.