Optimization of Damping Properties of Staggered Composites Through Microstructure Design

Abstract

Many natural materials, such as shell and bone, exhibit extraordinary damping properties under dynamic outside excitations. To explore the underlying mechanism of these excellent performances, we carry out the shear-lag analysis on the unit cell in staggered composites. Accordingly, the viscoelastic properties of the composites, including the loss modulus, storage modulus, and loss factor, are derived. The damping properties (particularly, the loss modulus and loss factor) show an optimization with respect to the constituents' properties and morphology. The optimal scheme demands a proper selection of four key factors: the modulus ratio, the characteristic frequency of matrix, aspect ratios of tablets, and matrix. The optimal loss modulus is pointed out to saturate to an upper bound that is proportional to the elastic modulus of tablets when the viscosity of matrix increases. Furthermore, a loss factor even greater than one is achievable through microstructure design. Without the assumption of a uniform shear stress distribution in the matrix, the analysis and formulae reported herein are applicable for a wide range of reinforcement aspect ratios. Further, for low-frequency loading, we give practical formulae of the three indexes of damping properties. The model is verified by finite element analysis (FEA) and gives novel ideas for manufacturing high damping composites.