Fracture toughness was calculated using the linear elastic mechanics (LEM) equation: where c is the average crack length ... edge required to cause catastrophic failure under plane-strain conditions.

The composite continues to deform along the matrix stress/strain curve until matrix fracture occurs which causes the final composite failure. The area under the total curve is a measure of the ...

Fracture toughness was calculated using the linear elastic mechanics (LEM) equation: where c is the ... to cause catastrophic failure under plane-strain conditions. Lower values of K C suggest ...