Effect of Interphases on Micro and Macromechanical Behavior of Hexagonal-Array Fiber Composites

Abstract

The effect of interphase stiffness on microstresses and macromechanical behavior has been investigated for transverse loading of an hexagonal-array unidirectional fiber composite. The interphase is modeled by a layer which resists radial extension and circumferential shear deformation. Taking advantage of the periodicity of the medium, the states of stress, and deformation in a basic cell have been analyzed numerically by the use of the boundary element method. The circumferential tensile stress along the matrix side of the interphase and the radial stress in the interphase have been analyzed for various values of the interphase parameters and the fiber volume ratio. The micromechanical results have also been used to determine the effect of interphase stiffness on the effective moduli. The calculated values have been compared with analytical results that were adjusted for interphase stiffness.