9308911 Larson The research will determine the relative importance of interfacial friction and interfacial toughness in maximizing crack retardation while minimizing the possibility of fiber failure. The growth of a matrix crack may be retarded if the fiber/matrix interface is cohesive and/or adhesive. The benefits of raising the friction coefficient (cohesion) and critical energy release rate (adhesion) must, however, be balanced against the potential for fiber failure in the high stress zone near the periphery of a matrix crack or an interfacial sliding zone. The resulting guidelines for designing optimal interfaces will reveal implications for arresting small cracks. The investigation will combine computational modeling in conjunction with experiments on a model fibrous composite (glass/glass). ***
