Numerical Simulation of Interfacial Debonding Crack in Particle Reinforced Composites

A numerical test code is used to study the matrix-inclusion interfacial debonding for particulate reinforced composites. In our numerical model, It is assumed to be a three-phase composite composed of matrix, particulate and the interfaces between them. The finite element program is employed as the basic stress analysis tool when the elastic damage mechanics is used to describe the constitutive law of meso-level element and the maximum tensile strain criterion and Mohr-Coulomb criterion are utilized as damage threshold. A single inclusion of gradually interfacial debonding and a complex structure with 20 inclusions of the interfacial damage were studied under plane stress conditions. Results of stress distribution and interface debonding type obtained by numerical method agree well with the MARK and ABAQUS. The influence of heterogeneity of the matrix materials on the resulting process and the stress distribution of the failure process are also studied in the paper. It is found that the numerical test code can help to understand the failure mechanism of the model and it is an effective way to investigate the interfacial damage of composite materials.