A general approach to calculate the stiffness tensor of short‐fiber composites using the fabric tensor determined by X‐ray computed tomography

Abstract

In this work, a general method to predict the stiffness tensor of short-fiber composites as a function of the fabric tensor (i.e. the tensor describing the architectural anisotropy of the micro-structure), determined by X-ray computed tomography, is presented. The proposed method does not depend on the type of fabric tensor used to characterize the symmetry properties of the composite. The experimental data used for method validation were obtained from thermoplastic composite matrices reinforced with short carbon and basalt fibers. The components of the stiffness tensor were calculated using the Mori-Tanaka model and the Halpin-Tsai equation for the stiffness of aligned shortfiber composites, but other micromechanics models could be used as well. The statistical alignment of the fibers in each portion of the sample was measured by determining the principal axes of the fabric tensor. The average properties calculated on sub-volumes provided moduli values in very good agreement with those determined experimentally. This approach is very general and easy to implement and does not need any numerical analysis tools.

Enhanced mechanical properties, thermal behavior and foaming ability of PP‐g‐MAH modified PP/BF composites

“…The interfacial interaction between the PP matrix and basalt increases, which leads to an improvement in the tensile strength and load‐bearing capacity of the composite 43 . At the same time, a good fiber network is formed in the matrix, 44 which in turns helps to offset the damage caused by stress defects within the PP matrix 45 …”

“…The interfacial interaction between the PP matrix and basalt increases, which leads to an improvement in the tensile strength and load-bearing capacity of the composite. 43 At the same time, a good fiber network is formed in the matrix, 44 which in turns helps to offset the damage caused by stress defects within the PP matrix. 45 The tensile fracture morphology of PP/BF composites was displayed in Figure 2C-E, which revealed the orientation distribution of BF in the resin matrix and the interfacial bonding properties.…”

An Overview of the Measurement of Permeability of Composite Reinforcements

“…Numerical methods for permeability prediction use models generated from 3D X-ray microtomography images of the dry reinforcement, as shown in Figure 11 . X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) is a radiographic imaging technique commonly used for the characterization of polymer composites [ 24 , 104 , 105 , 106 ].…”

A micro‐macromechanical approach for analyzing creep in randomly oriented short fiber composites

“…Although many studies have focused on mechanical properties [ 2–11 ] fatigue [ 12–18 ] and damage [ 19–30 ] of ROS composites to some extents, theoretical analysis of their creep behaviors has gained less attention in open literature. Park and Balatinecz [ 31 ] studied empirically the short‐term creep of wood‐fiber reinforced PE composites.…”

“…The increasing demand in various markets for presenting reliable and competitive products necessitate proper understanding of mechanical behaviors of ROS composites from various viewpoints. [1] Although many studies have focused on mechanical properties [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] fatigue [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and damage [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] of ROS composites to some extents, theoretical analysis of their creep behaviors has gained less attention in open literature. Park and Balatinecz [31] studied empirically the short-term creep of wood-fiber reinforced PE composites.…”