Effect of fibre debonding in a whisker-reinforced metal

Abstract For a whisker-reinforced metal matrix composite, failure by decohesion of the fibre-matrix interface is analysed. The unit-cell model applied for the numerical analyses represents a periodic array of aligned fibres, where neighbouring fibres are somewhat shifted relative to one another. The debonding behaviour at the interface is represented in terms of a cohesive zone model that describes decohesion by normal separation as well as decohesion by tangential separation. The predicted failure initiates by void formation near the sharp edges at the fibre ends, and subsequently fibre pull-out is described. The effect of friction during pull-out is included in the model.