Analysis of Transverse Strength of Composites Using Percolation Theory.

Abstract

As the fiber content is increased in order to increase the tensile strength of a unidirectional metal matrix composite, the transverse strength decreases rapidly. This is caused by a combination of low transverse fiber strength and weak fiber/matrix bond strength. Percolation theory, which has been used to describe phenomena that involve phase transitions and that can be modeled as a number of particles interacting with a random medium, has been used here to show that low transverse fracture strengths may be expected as the fiber content of a unidirectional composite is increased. This increase results in connected chains of fibers, weakly bonded to each other and to the matrix. The expected strength is lower in this case than is predicted by a simple regular array of holes model. Keywords: Composites, Mechanical strength, Percolation theory, Transverse strength of composites.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 15, 1988
Accession Number
ADA193204

Entities

People

  • Gary F. Hawkins
  • Leslie A. Feldman
  • Thomas B. Bhader

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Composite Materials
  • Corporations
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fibers
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Metal Matrix Composites
  • Particles
  • Percolation
  • Phase Transformations
  • Physical Properties
  • Tensile Strength
  • Transverse
  • Unidirectional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.