Debonding and pull-out processes in fibrous composites

The processes of debonding and pull-out in fibrous composites are described. Models predicting the debond length and the probability distribution of pull-out lengths of fibres and bundles are derived. These lengths are functions of the fibre, matrix and interface properties. Prediction is then compared with experiment and a simple relationship between pull-out and debond lengths is found. An understanding of the debonding and pull-out processes is important because they affect the fracture toughness of fibre composites.