Effect of interface fracture on the tensile deformation of fiber-reinforced elastomers

The influence of interface properties (strength and toughness) on the tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced elastomers deformed perpendicularly to the fibers was studied using computational micromechanics. Numerical simulations were performed by means of the finite element analysis of a representative volume element of the composite microstructure. The effect of finite deformations and of interface fracture was included in the simulations, the latter through a bidimensional and quadratic interface element inserted at the fiber/matrix interfaces. A parametrical study was carried out to assess the effect of interface strength and toughness on the tensile strength and damage micromechanisms. It was found that the onset of damage and tensile strength were controlled by interface strength while the evolution of damage depended on interface toughness.