Edge effect of a carbon fiber meeting a surface

• Published in: Mechanics of materials Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 267 - 278
• Main Authors: Li, C.C., Folias, E.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1991; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; carbon fibers; composite materials; Composites; edge effect; epoxy resins; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; stress distribution; Technology of polymers; Mechanical properties; Epoxy resin; Edge effect; Isotropic material; Composite material; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0167-6636; 1872-7743
• DOI: 10.1016/0167-6636(91)90023-S

This paper investigates the free edge effect on the stress field of a carbon fiber, which is embedded into an epoxy matrix. The fiber is assumed to possess cylindrical symmetry and to be transversely isotropic. The matrix is assumed to be of an isotropic material. The stress field is induced by a uniform tension applied on the matrix at points far away from the fiber surface. The displacement and stress fields are explicitly derived and a stress singularity is shown to prevail. The singularity strength is shown to be a function of the material constants of the fiber as well as those of the matrix. Finally, the displacement and stress profiles are plotted as a function of the angle φ which is measured from the free surface.