Tensile failure prediction of a short fiber or particle composite

Abstract

AbstractAs any failure of a short fiber reinforced composite (SFRC) is caused by a matrix failure, an accurate prediction of the latter is fundamentally important. This is achievable only when the matrix homogenized stresses are converted into true values. The conversion is made by multiplying the homogenized stresses with matrix stress concentration factors (SCFs) in the composite. Only a longitudinal SCF of the matrix in the SFRC needs to be determined, because all of the other directional SCFs are the same as those in a continuous fiber composite already available. In this paper, the longitudinal tensile SCF of the matrix is obtained in terms of the matrix stress field calculated through a finite element approach. The thus obtained SCF is valid for any fiber aspect ratio. The predicted strengths of several uniaxial short fiber composites and (0/±60)s laminate subjected to longitudinal tension agree well with the available experiments.