Todays objectives-Composites II

1. Be able to calculate the upper and lower bounds for the Youngs modulus
of a particle composite.
2. Be able to calculate the critical length, and the ideal length, of a fiber for a
fiber composite.
3. Similarly, be able to calculate the strength of the matrix-composite bond
(or the matrix shear strength, whichever is weakest) for a fiber composite.
4. Be able to calculate the longitudinal and transverse stresses, strains, and
elastic moduli (Youngs) for fiber composites.
Types of composites
Review from last class-Particulate Composites
For particle-reinforced composites, the elastic modulus
(Youngs modulus, E) will fall between an upper (best
case) and lower (worse case) limit:
Fiber Reinforced
Most common composite type.
Generally applied for improved strength and stiffness with
respect to weight
Aerospace applications
High value sporting goods
Remember the reason for using a composite is that the load is
transferred from the matrix to the composite element (here a fiber).
Since the load cannot be transferred beyond the end of the
fiber, a critical fiber length (L
c
) likely exists for effective
strengthening and stiffening of the overall part
too small and it doesnt transfer the load
too long and it just costs a lot without any added benefit
d
L
c
Fiber composites
Why are we using fibers?
Especially for ceramics, due to Weibull statistics the fracture
strength of a small part is usually greater than that of a large
component (smaller volume=fewer flaws=fewer big flaws).
Fibers come in three forms:
Whiskers (graphite, SiC, Si
3
N
4
, Al
2
O
3
)
Single crystals
Huge length/diameter
Small, so nearly flaw free
Strongest known materials
expensive
Fibers (aramids, glass, carbon, boron, Si
3
N
4
, Al
2
O
3
)
Polycrystalline or amorphous
Small diameter
Wires (usually metals)
Large diameter
Matrix phase
Usually a metal or polymer since some ductility is desirable
Serves several functions for fiber composites
Bonds with the fibers.
Protects fibers from surface damage due to abrasion or corrosion
(ie avoid cracks on surfaces of fibers).
Separates the fibers.
Prevents propagation of brittle cracks between fibers (ie matrix is
usually ductile).
Fiber Reinforced
Critical fiber length (L
c
) depends on:

f
*
, the fiber ultimate tensile strength (in Pascals)
d, the fiber diameter
tau
c
, either the matrix/fiber bond strength or the matrix shear
yield strength (whichever is smaller), (in Pascals).
c
f
c
d
L
t
o
2
*
=
L
c
is approximately 1 mm for glass fiber / Carbon matrix
composites (20 to 150 * diameter).
d
L
c
Therefore, the bond between matrix and fiber often
dictates whether the fiber will improve the properties of
the composite by transferring an applied load to the fiber.
Stress along a fiber
For L=L
c
, the optimal
fiber load is achieved at
the center of the fiber
length.
For L>L
c
, the optimal
fiber load is carried by
most of the fiber. These
are considered to be
Continuous fibers and
are ideal.
For L<L
c
, the optimal
fiber load is never
reached, so that a
weaker, cheaper fiber or
even particles could
have been used instead.
c
f
c
d
L
t
o
2
*
=
Optimal fiber length
Technically we only need L>L
c
, but practically optimal fiber
lengths are usually about 30*L
c
.
Poorer fiber efficiency Better fiber efficiency
c
f
c optimal
d
L L
t
o
2
30 30 = ~
fiber diameter
shear strength of fiber-matrix
interface or the matrix itself
(whichever is smaller)
fiber strength in tension
Ex: L
c
is 1mm for glass fiber in the C matrix, so
the optimal fiber length is about 30mm.
c
f
c
d
L
t
o
2
*
=
Thinner fibers help too: as d decreases, the critical length
decreases as well (saving money).
Continuous and aligned fibers
For longitudinal loading, assuming a ductile matrix (e.g. metal)
and a brittle fiber (ceramic with no ductility):
Stage I includes the fiber and matrix both deforming elastically E=/
Stage II involves plastic deformation of the matrix and elastic
deformation of the fiber. The load actually on the fiber is increased.
Fibers begin to fail
at the failure
strain.
The process is not
catastrophic since:
the fibers are not
all the same size
and strength.
the matrix and
matrix/fiber bond
are still intact
except at the
fracture points.
F
Longitudinal loading
The load sustained by the composite is shared by the
matrix and the fibers.
The stress on each component is easily calculated and
depends on the relative areas of each component (or
volume since V is proportional to A in this orientation).
If the fiber/matrix bond is good then the strain on fiber
and matrix is the same (isostrain).
If deformations are all elastic (stage I), Youngs
modulus is proportional to stress/strain.
Modulus of elasticity is thus easily calculated.
This is the upper bound of fiber composite
properties.
The force on the fiber vs. the matrix can be determined
as well. m m
f f
m m m
f f f
m m
f f
m
f
f
c
f
m
c
m
c
f f
c
f
m m
c
m
c c
f m c
f
c
f
m
c
m
c
f
c
f
m
c
m
c
f f m m c c
f m c
V E
V E
V E
V E
A
A
F
F
E
V
V
E
V
V
E
E
V
V
E
V
V
E
E
V
V
V
V
A
A
A
A
A A A
A F
F F F
= = =
+ =
+ =
=
= =
+ =
+ =
+ =
=
+ =
c
c
o
o
c c c
c
o
c c c
o o o
o o o
o o o
o /
Remember: E= modulus (GPa), sigma = stress (MPa), epsilon = strain (ratio)
F
Transverse loading
Now the load is applied at 90 to the fiber axis.
No longer isostrain (same strain on matrix and
fiber)
Instead, isostress applies (stress applied to
composite is same as that applied to each
component).
Stain on each component sums to give the
overall strain.
Again, if deformations are all elastic (stage I),
Youngs modulus is proportional to
stress/strain.
This is the lower bound of particulate
composite properties.
f c
f
m c
m
c
f c
f
m c
m
c
f
c
f
m
c
m
c
f m c transverse
E V
V
E V
V
E
E V
V
E V
V
E
E
V
V
V
V
1 1 1
+ =
+ =
=
+ =
= = =
o o o
o
c
c c c
o o o o
F
m
o'
*
f
o
*
m
o
Tensile strength review:
Longitudinal
Maximum stress on stress/strain curve
Usually when the first fibers begin to break
Once fibers begin to break, the load is transferred to the matrix.
Longitudinal tensile strength can be calculated.
( )
c
f
f
c
f
m al longitudin c
V
V
V
V
* *
,
1
o o o +

' =
Transverse
The transverse tensile strength
is usually at least one order of
magnitude less than the
longitudinal strength.
The matrix properties will
dominate, along with the
fiber/matrix bond strength.

f
c
f
c m
c
m
c
transverse c
V
V
E
V
V
E c c o + =
,
*
Particle and Fiber variables
Once the matrix and disperse phase materials are decided,
there are still many options that may effect properties.
Volume
increases
Thinner and
longer is better.
Longitudinal
or transverse
equations
apply
SUMMARY
Reading for next class
Short Fibers, Structural Composites
Chapter sections: 16.8, 16.10-15
Be able to calculate the strength of the matrix-composite
bond (or the matrix shear strength, whichever is
weakest).
Be able to calculate the longitudinal and transverse
stresses, strains, and elastic moduli (youngs) for fiber
composites.