An analytical investigation is conducted into the problemof a matrix crack interacting with an inclusion possessing an interphase and subjected to a thermal load. The interphase is modeled as a third, homogeneous phase surrounding the circular inclusion. By using a dislocation based approach to model the crack, along with an analytical solution to the thermal stress problem, a set of singular integral equations are formulated and then solved using established numerical techniques. The solution is applied to a glass fiber–epoxy composite system having either radial or circumferential matrix cracks and undergoing a uniform temperature change. This solution gives a quantitative and analytical method to evaluate the influence of interphase properties on the stress intensity factors of nearby, thermally loaded microcracks.
Arnold, S.M. , Arya, V.K. and Melis, M.E. (1992). Reduction of thermal residual stresses in advanced metallic composites based upon the compensating/compliant layer concept. Journal of Composite Materials, 26: 1287-1287.
2.
Arnold, S.M. and Wilt, T.E. (1993). Influence of engineered interfaces on residual stresses and mechanical response in metal matrix composites. Composite Interfaces, 1: 381-381.
3.
Benveniste, Y. , Dvorak, G.J. and Chen, T. (1989). Stress fields in composites with coated inclusions. Mechanics of Materials, 7: 305-305.
4.
Cheeseman, B.A. and Santare, M.H. (2000a). The interaction of a curved crack with a circular elastic inclusion. International Journal of Fracture, 103: 259-259.
5.
Cheeseman, B.A. and Santare, M.H. (2000b). The effect of the interphase on crack-inclusion interactions. International Journal of Fracture, in press.
6.
Delale, F. (1988). Critical fiber size for microcrack suppression in ceramic-fiber/ceramic matrix composites. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 31: 145-145.
7.
Hiemstra, D.L. and Sottos, N.R. (1993). Thermally induced interfacial microcracking in polymer matrix composites. Journal of Composite Materials, 27: 1030-1030.
8.
Jayaraman, K. and Reifsnider, K.L. (1992). Residual stresses in a composite with continuously varying Young’s modulus in the fiber/matrix interphase. Journal of Composite Materials, 26: 770-770.
9.
Jayaraman, K. , Reifsnider, K.L.and Swain, R.E. (1993). Elastic and thermal effects in the interphase: part II. Comments of modeling studies. Journal of Composites Technology and Research, 15: 14-14.
10.
Mikata, Y. and Taya, M. (1985). Stress field in a coated continuous fiber composite subjected to thermo-mechanical loadings. Journal of Composite Materials, 19: 554-554.
11.
Mikata, Y. (1994). Stress fields in a continuous fiber composite with a variable interphase under thermo-mechanical loadings. Transactions of the ASME Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, 116: 367-367.
12.
Misra, A.K. (1994). Modification of the fiber/matrix interface in aluminide-based intermetallicmatrix composites. Composites Science and Technology, 50: 37-37.
13.
Muller, W.H. and Schmauder, S. (1992). On the behavior of r-and-cracks in composite materials under thermal and mechanical loading. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 29: 1907-1907.
14.
Muller, W.H. and Schmauder, S. (1993). Stress-intensity factors of r-cracks in fiber-reinforced composites under thermal and mechanical loading. International Journal of Fracture, 59: 307-307.
15.
Muskhelishvili, N.I. (1953). Some Basic Problems in the Mathematical Theory of Elasticity. Groningen: P. Noordhoff, Ltd.
16.
Nairn, J.A. (1985). Thermoelastic analysis of residual stresses in uni-directional, high-performance composites. Polymer Composites, 6: 123-123.
17.
Pagano, N.J. and Tandon, G.P. (1988). Elastic response of multi-directional coated-fiber composites. Composites Science and Technology, 31: 273-273.
18.
Pagano, N.J. and Tandon, G.P. (1990). Thermo-elastic model for multidirectional coated-fiber composites: traction formulation. Composites Science and Technology, 38: 247-247.
19.
Sottos, N.R. (1990). The influence of the interphase regions on local thermal stress states in composites. PhD Dissertation, University of Delaware Department of Mechanical Engineering.
20.
Tandon, G.P. (1995). Use of composite cylinder model as representative volume element for unidirectional fiber composites. Journal of Composite Materials, 29: 388-388.
21.
Vedula, M. , Pangborn, R.N. and Queeney, R.A. (1988). Modification of residual thermal stress in a metal-matrix composite with the use of a tailored interphase region. Composites, 19: 133-133.
