• Composites Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.7-14
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• 2006

Interfacial shear strength between epoxy and carbon fiber has been analyzed utilizing the microbond specimen with an epoxy micro-droplet adhered onto single carbon fiber. The interfacial shear stress distributions along the fiber/matrix interface were calculated by finite element analysis using three kinds of finite element models such as droplet model, circular-crosssection model and pull-out model. Conclusions were obtained as follows. (1) Interfacial shear stress distribution showed that larger stresses were concentrated in the fiber/matrix interface for microbond test than for pull-out test. Thus, debonding at the fiber/matrix interface during microbond test was liable to occur at low load level. (2) Microbond test showed higher interfacial strength which was caused by various effects of micro-droplet geometry and size as well as stress concentration in the region contacting with the micro-vise tip.