ASSESSMENT OF FIBER-MATRIX ADHESION AND INTERFACIAL PROPERTIES USING THE PULL-OUT TEST

Fibre-matrix adhesion is assessed using a technique based on the fibre pull-out test. The fibre-matrix adhesion can be characterized in terms of the interfacial shear (bond) strength, tau(i). The non-uniform shear stress distribution at the fibre-matrix interface is taken into account. The technique also allows other interfacial properties such as the matrix shrinkage pressure P-0 and the interfacial coefficient of friction mu to be evaluated from a single set of pull-out test data. Analysis of new experimental data for glass fibre-nylon 66 and glass fibre-nylon 11 composite systems is presented to illustrate application of the technique. The issue of the effect of loading configuration and specimen geometry on the pull-out test is then considered. This is to facilitate proper analysis of experimental data, to ensure a high success rate in the pull-out experiment and to minimize specimen failure by fibre fracture and other non pull-out modes.