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Summary The toughness of composite materials is size dependent below a critical load transfer length (lT). Fiber-reinforced viscoelastic polymers are uniquely suited to study the size-limited regime because the lT of these soft composites can be as high as several centimeters, in contrast to traditional composites where lT is extremely small, allowing a large window for macroscale characterization. In this work, we elucidate the parameters that influence the toughness of soft composites when failure is governed by a fiber pullout-induced matrix-fracture mechanism. We ultimately demonstrate three important points: (1) fiber-reinforced viscoelastic polymers can possess high toughness, even at dimensions well below lT, (2) significant toughness amplification occurs due to the presence of fibers, even when the fracture process consists solely of matrix rupture, and (3) the composite toughness in the fiber pullout region can be predicted from easily attainable component parameters. |
