Influence of processing damage on performance of fiber-reinforced composites (Q1354923)

The effect of processing-induced fiber damage, or equivalently the effect of fiber length in discontinuously-reinforced composites, on the tensile stress-strain behavior of a fiber-reinforced ceramic or metal matrix is determined as a function of the extent of initial fiber damage and the pristine fiber strength distribution. The analysis predicts the stress-strain curve, ultimate tensile strength and strain fiber pollout, and work of pullout in terms of the underlying micromechanical material parameters. The method is tested on a Nicalon/CAS composite in which ``premature'' fiber damage has been observed.