Stiffness predictions for unidirectional short-fiber composites: Review and evaluation

Charles L. Tucker, Erwin Liang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Micromechanics models for the stiffness of aligned short-fiber composites are reviewed and evaluated. These include the dilute model based on Eshelby's equivalent inclusion, the self-consistent model for finite-length fibers, Mori-Tanaka type models, bounding models, the Halpin-Tsai equation and its extensions, and shear lag models. Several models are found to be equivalent to the Mori-Tanaka approach, which is also equivalent to the generalization of the Hashin-Shtrikman-Walpole lower bound. The models are evaluated by comparison with finite-element calculations which use periodic arrays of fibers, and to Ingber and Papathanasiou's boundary element results for random arrays of aligned fibers. The finite-element calculations provide E11, E22, v12, and v23 for a range of fiber aspect ratios and packing geometries, with other properties typical of injection-molded thermoplastic matrix composites. The Halpin-Tsai equations give reasonable estimates for stiffness, but the best predictions come from the Mori-Tanaka model and the bound interpolation model of Leilens et al.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)655-671
Number of pages17
JournalComposites Science and Technology
Volume59
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • General Engineering

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