Effect of flax fibres individualisation on tensile failure of flax/epoxy unidirectional composite

The study of plant fibres composites is a widespread research topic; nevertheless, the reinforcement mechanism understanding of these materials must be still improved. The paper presents a study of the effect of the mechanical properties, the dispersion and the fibre/matrix interface property of elementary fibres on the tensile properties of unidirectional composites. Our work shows that the mechanical performances of unidirectional composites could be linked to those of the elementary fibres as well as to the composites microstructure. Flax fibres individualisation, linked to the homogeneity of the microstructure, is highly dependent on the fibre extraction process. The importance of the composites homogeneity has been confirmed by the Rosen model, which could be used thanks to interfacial shear strength measurements.