Experimental investigation of randomly-oriented tow-based discontinuous composites and their equivalent laminates
File(s)
Author(s)
Li, Y
Pimenta, S
Singgih, J
Nothdurfter, S
Schuffenhauer, K
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The equivalent laminate assumption is a commonly-used method to model the random architecture of discontinuous composites, but which has never been validated experimentally. This study aims to verify the equivalent laminate assumption, focusing on tow-based discontinuous composites (TBDCs), which have higher fibre-content and thus improved modulus and strength, compared to conventional discontinuous-fibre composites. This verification was achieved by manufacturing and testing (i) actual TBDCs with randomly oriented tows and (ii) their equivalent laminates (ELs), at two different tow thicknesses. The results show that ELs exhibit the same failure mechanisms as TBDCs, and are similarly weakened by an increase in tow thickness. However, ELs lack the spatial variability in local fibre-content and local tow orientations, which makes ELs stronger than TBDCs. Therefore, the equivalent laminate assumption is suitable for predicting the modulus of discontinuous composites, but cannot predict their strength without considering the local variability in their microstructure.
Date Issued
2017-11-01
Date Acceptance
2017-06-25
Citation
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2017, 102 (1), pp.64-75
ISSN
1359-835X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
64
End Page
75
Journal / Book Title
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume
102
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2017, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Royal Academy of Engineering
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X17302567
Grant Number
RF/133
IT00591801204
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Manufacturing
Materials Science, Composites
Engineering
Materials Science
Discontinuous reinforcement
Mechanical properties
Laminate mechanics
Microstructural analysis
FIBER PREFORMING PROCESS
ORIENTATION
TENSILE
Materials
0901 Aerospace Engineering
0912 Materials Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-07-14