Micromechanical Property Prediction for Flexible Matrix Composite Materials

Abstract

Several closed-form solutions exit to predict elastic constants of a composite material. Most of these methods give comparable results for epoxy matrix composites, but not for flexible matrix composites, where the matrix is much softer than the fiber. We have devised a method that uses energy values given by finite element analyses of composite models, subjected to various independent displacement conditions. Results for flexible matrix composites thus obtained are compared with those determined by some of the existing methods. Closed-form solutions are recommended for approximate prediction of the different elastic constants by this comparison.