• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.282-295
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• 2012

Fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are widely used to provide protection against ballistic impact and blast events. There are several factors that govern the structural response and mechanical properties of a textile composite structure, of which the fiber-matrix interfacial behavior is a crucial determinant. This paper reviews the microbond or microdroplet test methodology that is used to characterize the fiber-matrix interfacial behavior, particularly the interface shear strength (IFSS). The various analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches applied to the microbond test are reviewed in detail.

• 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.

• Composites Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.15-21
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• 2008

Interfacial shear strength between epoxy and carbon fiber was analyzed utilizing a hemi-spherical microbond specimens adhered onto single carbon fiber. The hemi-spherical microbond specimen showed high regression coefficient and small standard deviation in the measurement of interfacial strength as compared with a droplet and an inverse hemi-spherical one. This seemed to be caused by the reduced meniscus effects and the reduced stress concentration In the region contacting with a pin-hole loading device. Finite element analysis showed that the stress distributions along the fiber/matrix interface in the hemi-spherical specimen had a stable shear stress distribution along the interface without any stress mode change. The experimental data was also different according to the kinds of loading device such as the microvise-tip and the pin-holed plate.