Damage growth by debonding in a single fibre metal matrix composite: Elastoplasticity and strain energy density criterion

A displacement-based finite element-based numerical approach has been employed to study the damage growth in a unidirectional SiC/Al composite containing a pre-existing crack along the fibre/matrix interface. The composite is modeled as a two-material cylinder subjected to uniform displacement. A detailed analysis is made for the stress field in the vicinity of the debond crack tip. This approach incorporates an elastic–plastic analysis combined with a strain energy density criterion to predict debonded crack growth direction, extended stable growth and final termination. The influence of contact taking place between the debonded surfaces is also considered. It is shown that such surface contact leads to reduced stress and strain fields around the crack tip, while the extent of reduction is increased with debonding length. By combining the reduced stress field with the strain energy density criterion, a limiting value for the debonding extension can be calculated for the critical applied displacement that led to fibre fracture.