Micromechanics and finite element approaches on the influence of fibre irregular surface and debonding on the elastic properties of jute/epoxy composites

This study examines how irregular surfaces and debonding affect jute/epoxy composites. The study used micromechanics and finite element (FE) analysis to investigate properties such as elastic modulus in the longitudinal (E-1) and transverse (E-2) directions, major (nu(12)) and minor (nu(21)) Poisson's ratios, and interfacial stresses (sigma(1), sigma(2), and tau(12), tau(23), tau(13)). The FE models were validated using experimental and analytical results, which showed good agreement. Then, the FE model was extended to analyse the influence of different fibre volume fractions (Vf) on jute/epoxy composites with varied irregular surfaces (IRS%) and debonding (DBS%). The interfacial stress was compared across these variables. DBS% caused significant variation in E-2 and sigma(2), while IRS% led to out-of-shear stresses that crossed the threshold. An increase in IRS% and DBS% at a constant fibre volume fraction did not significantly affect E-1. However, increasing V-f from 10-70% increased E-1 by 168%. E-2, on the other hand, decreased with V-f by 63-68%. Both IRS% and DBS% had a significant influence on interfacial stresses. [GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT]