Strength Of Unidirectional Fiber Composites Research Articles

Enhanced Estimation of Axial Compressive Strength for CFRP Based on Microscale Numerical Simulation and the Response Surface Method.

Compressive strength is one of the most important properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). In this study, a new method for predicting the axial compressive strength of CFRP using the response surface method is developed. We focused on a microbuckling model to predict the compressive strength of unidirectional fiber composites. For the microbuckling model, axial shear properties are required. To obtain the compressive strength for various material properties, we perform individual shear tests and numerical simulations, but these require enormous computational costs and extended time. To address the issue of computational cost, in this study, we propose a new method to predict compressive strength using the response surface method. First, we perform shear simulation in a microscale fracture model for unidirectional CFRP with various parameters of the fiber and resin properties. Based on the results of the shear simulation, the response surface method is used to evaluate and develop prediction equations for the shear properties. This method allows for the study of the objective values of the parameters, without significant computational effort. By comparing both the results predicted from the response surface method (RSM) and the simulation results, we verify the reliability of the prediction equation. As a result, the coefficient of determination was higher than 94%, and the validity of the prediction method for the compressive strength of CFRP using the response surface method (RSM) developed in this study was confirmed. Additionally, we discuss the material properties that affect the compressive strength of composites comprised of fibers and resin. As a result, we rank the parameters as follows: fiber content, elastic modulus after resin yield, yield stress, and initial elastic modulus.

SIMULATION OF THE ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF REINFORCED KEVLAR-GRAPHENE COMPOSITES

The compressive strength of unidirectional fiber composites in the form of Kevlar yarn with a thin outer layer of graphene was investigated and modeled. Such fiber structure may be fabricated by using a strong chemical bond between Kevlar yarn and graphene sheets. Chemical functionalization of graphene and Kevlar may be achieved by modification of appropriate surface-bound functional (e.g., carboxylic acid) groups on their surfaces. In this report we studied elastic response to unidirectional in-plane applied load with load peaks along the diameter. The 2D linear elasticity model predicts that significant strengthening occurs when graphene outer layer radius is about 4% of kevlar yarn radius. The polymer chains of Kevlar are linked into locally planar structure by hydrogen bonds across the chains, with transversal strength considerably weaker than longitudinal one. This suggests that introducing outer enveloping layer of graphene, linked to polymer chains by strong chemical bonds may significantly strengthen Kevlar fiber with respect to transversal deformations.

Strain Rate Effect on Out of Plane Shear Strength of Fiber Composites

This research aims to investigate strain rate effect on the out of plane shear strength of unidirectional fiber composites. Both glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy composites were considered in this study. To demonstrate strain rate effect, composite brick specimens were fabricated and tested to failure in the transverse direction at strain ranges from 10-4/s to 700/s. Experimental observations reveal that the main failure mechanism of the specimens is the out of plane shear failure taking place on the plane oriented around 30 to 35 degree to the loading direction. The corresponding out-of-plane shear strength was obtained from the uniaxial failure stress through Mohr-Coulomb strength analysis. In addition, the associated shear strain rate on the failure plane was calculated through the coordinate transformation law. Results show that the out-plane shear strength increases with the increment of the shear train rates. A semi-logarithmic function expressed in terms of the normalized shear strain rate was employed to describe the rate dependence of the out-plane shear strength.

Investigating Strain Rate Effect on Transverse Compressive Strength of Fiber Composites

This research aims to investigate strain rate effect on transverse compressive strength of unidirectional fiber composites. Both glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy composites were taken into account in this study. To demonstrate strain rate effect, composite brick specimens were fabricated and tested to failure in the transverse direction at strain rate ranges from 10-4/s to 500/s. For strain rate less than 1/s, the experiments were conducted by a hydraulic MTS machine. However, the higher strain rate tests were performed using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). Experimental observations reveal that the transverse compressive strengths increase corresponding to the increment of the strain rates. A semi-logarithmic function was employed to describe the rate sensitivity of the transverse compressive strength. SEM photographic on the failure surfaces depicts that for glass/epoxy composites, the failure mechanism is mainly due to the matrix shear failure, however, for the graphite/epoxy composites, it becomes the fiber and epoxy interfacial debonding which could dramatically reduce the transverse compressive strengths of the fiber composites.

Dynamic compressive strengths of polymeric composites

The dynamic compressive strength of unidirectional fiber composites in the form of fiber microbuckling was investigated and modeled. Both strain rate and shear stress effects on the compressive strength were considered. The present model was developed from extending Rosen's fiber buckling model in conjunction with a viscoplasticity model to describe the inelastic and rate dependent behavior of the composite. Off-axis S2/8552 glass/epoxy composite specimens were tested at various strain rates to provide the experimental data with the presence of shear stresses. For strain rates below 1 s −1, compression tests were conducted on an MTS loading machine, while higher strain rate tests were performed using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Comparison of model predictions with experimental data showed that the dynamic microbuckling model was quite accurate in predicting compressive failure of unidirectional composites for strain rates up to 900 s −1. From the model predictions and experimental data, it was found that the presence of shear stress can significantly lower the compressive strength of composites. Comparison of the present microbuckling model and the kink band model was made.

Residual stress effects on the compressive strength of uni-directional fibre composites

Compressive failure of unidirectional fibre composites by the kink band mechanism is analysed taking into account effects of residual stresses. Two criteria for determining the strength of the composite material have been investigated: Kink band formation at a bifurcation stress in a composite with perfectly aligned fibres, and kink band formation at a peak stress in a composite with fibre misalignments in the order of a few degrees as most commonly observed. The interacting effects of fibre misalignments and residual stresses are studied for this reason. Results are also obtained for the interaction of fibre misalignments with other sources of imperfections such as variations in fibre volume fraction.

Predicting the transverse strength of unidirectional composites under combination loading

This article presents a mathematical model for predicting the transverse strength of unidirectional fiber composites subjected to combination transverse loading under different conditions. The behavior of the matrix is described by nonlinear physical equations consistent with the strain theory of plasticity for the active loading section. The fibers are assumed to be isotropic and elastic. The boundary-value problem of micromechanics that is formulated includes strength criteria for the matrix and fibers that mark the beginning of their possible failure. The modeling of the fracture process is taken farther through the use of a scheme that reduces the stiffness of the matrix and fibers in the failed regions in relation to the sign of the first invariant of the stress tensor. The method of local approximation is used together with the finite-element method to calculate the stress and strain fields in unidirectional composites with cylindrical fibers in a tetragonal layup. The model is used to study the behavior of an epoxy-based organic-fiber-reinforced plastic subjected to transverse loading in different simple paths — including simultaneous compressive and tensile loads, as well as transverse shear.

Influence of the fiber surface properties on the mechanical strength of unidirectional fiber composites

The influence of the thermodynamic adhesion between fibers and matrix on the mechanical properties of a continuous fiber reinforced composite is studied for two systems: carbon fiber reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) and glass fiber reinforced poly(ether imide). The fibers are modified chemically and characterized by measuring the contact angle formed by molten resin on the fibers. Various fiber treatments yield a wide range of contact angles, which are determined optically. Unidirectional fiber reinforced laminates are manufactured and transverse flexural strength is measured with the values reported as a function of the specific work of adhesion. It is shown that adhesion at the fiber-resin interface correlates with both the composite strength and the void morphology within the laminate after consolidation.

Compressive strength of unidirectional fiber composites with matrix non-linearity

A study has been made of the effect of fiber misalignment and non-linear behavior of the matrix on fiber microbuckling and the compressive strength of a unidirectional fiber composite. The initial fiber misalignment constituted the combined axial and shear stress state in the matrix, and the state of stress just prior to the buckling was considered to be the initial state of stress in bifurcation analysis. The expression for the critical microbuckling stress was found to be the same as that for the elastic shear-mode microbuckling stress except that the matrix elastic shear modulus was replaced by the matrix elastic-plastic shear modulus. Incremental theory of plasticity and deformation theory of plasticity were used to model the matrix non-linearity. The analysis results showed reasonable correlation with available experimental data for AS4/3501-6 and AS4/PEEK graphite composites with 2° to 4° range of initial fiber misalignment.

A Mechanical Model for Elastic Fiber Microbuckling

A two-dimensional mechanical model is presented to predict the compressive strength of unidirectional fiber composites using technical beam theory and classical elasticity. First, a single fiber resting on a matrix half-plane is considered. Next, a more elaborate analysis of a uniformly laminated, unidirectional fiber composite half-plane is presented. The model configuration incorporates a free edge which introduces a buckling mode that originates at the free edge and decays into the interior of the half-plane. It is demonstrated that for composites of low volume fraction (<0.3), this decay mode furnishes values of buckling strain that are below the values predicted by the Rosen (1965) model. At a higher volume fraction the buckling mode corresponds to a half wavelength that is in violation of the usual assumptions of beam theory. Causes for deviations of the model prediction from existing experimental results are discussed.

Micromechanical analysis of the strength of unidirectional fiber composites

A micromechanical analysis is presented for the prediction of ultimate stresses of unidirectional fiber composites under complex loading systems. The method is based on micro-failure criteria applied to the fiber and matrix phases as well as to the fiber/matrix interfaces. The theory is implemented for the prediction of the off-axis strength of six types of laminae for which measured data are available, and good agreement is shown to exist in most cases. Several possible generalizations are discussed.

A probabilistic theory for the strength of discontinuous fibre composites

The strength of discontinuous fibre-reinforced composites is often reduced due to local stress concentrations at large fibre-end-gaps. A theoretical prediction of the strength of unidirectional fibre composites is performed based upon a probabilistic model of the fibre configuration. This work further develops the concepts of Bader, Chou and Quigley, and Fukuda and Chou. A limiting case of the present analysis shows good agreement with the results of Smith. Emphases are placed on the effect of matrix stress transfer properties including matrix plasticity. For a matrix deforming elastically, the strength is reduced as the composite size (N) increases. As compared with the rule-of-mixtures prediction for continuous fibre composites with identical fibre volume fraction, the reduction is shown to be proportional to (In N)−P, with the exponent P being between 0.5 and 1 for two-dimensional composites and between 0.25 and 0.5 for three-dimensional composites. For a matrix deforming plastically, the local stress concentrations are reduced. Based upon the analytical expression of the local load sharing rule for a plastically deformed matrix, the composite strength is shown to approach the modified rule-of-mixtures of Kelly and Tyson as the matrix yield stress decreases.