Review: finite element analysis of stress transfer in short-fibre composite materials

This paper addresses the application of finite element (FE) analysis for understanding the various processes that can occur and contribute to stress transfer between the matrix and fibres in short-fibre composite materials. These processes are elastic stress transfer, plastic stress transfer, matrix yielding (mode alpha), interfacial debonding (mode beta), matrix cracking (mode gamma), fibre pull-out and fibre fragmentation. In this paper, the discussion will cover the theory underlying each process, description of FE models, and analysis of stress transfer. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.