Failure mechanisms of short fibre reinforced composite materials subjected to dynamic loading
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The mechanical behaviour of short carbon fibre reinforced polylactic acid (SCF/PLA) composites fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM) is crucial for engineering applications, yet their strain-rate dependence is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the tensile response and fracture mechanisms of SCF/PLA under varying strain rates. Dog-bone specimens were tested under quasi-static (10⁻⁴ s⁻¹) and dynamic loading up to 50 s⁻¹, and fracture surfaces were analysed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate clear strain-rate sensitivity: Young’s modulus increased from 2.1 GPa to 2.4 GPa, and fracture strength followed a power-law relationship (σ = 38·ε̇^0.065). SEM observations reveal a transition from flat fracture surfaces dominated by matrix cracking and fibre/matrix debonding at low rates to rougher surfaces with increased fibre pull-out, fibre fracture, and matrix cracking at high rates. The number of exposed fibres increased while their pull-out length decreased, suggesting enhanced interfacial shear strength. These findings demonstrate pronounced rate-dependent mechanical and microstructural behavior, providing essential insights for designing FDM-printed SCF/PLA components in dynamic applications.
Date Issued
2026-05-10
Date Acceptance
2025-11-07
Citation
Polymer Composites, 2026, 47 (9), pp.8273-8287
ISSN
0272-8397
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
8273
End Page
8287
Journal / Book Title
Polymer Composites
Volume
47
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Polymer Composites published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
10.1002/pc.70687
Subjects
composite materials
failure mechanisms
fracture behavior
microscopic observations
strain-rate sensitivity
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-12-05