Modeling of push-out test for interfacial fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced composites.

An analytical model of the push-out test was developed to predict the interfacial fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced matrix composites. Elastic deformation, thermal residual stress, Poisson effect, and energy dissipation due to interfacial friction are all accounted for in the model based on a fracture mechanics approach and a general solution was derived from the analysis. In addition, finite element analysis was performed to validate the analyti-cal model. The results show that the predictions from the analytical model are in good agreement with the finite element results and experimental data on SiC-reinforced Timet-al834 composites. The effects of residual stress, the friction stress, and the debonding crack length on the interfacial fracture toughness were discussed for a better understanding of the interfacial phenomena in push-out test. The analytical model could be applied to other composite systems as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]