THE EFFECT OF FIBER ASPECT RATIO ON THE STIFFNESS OF DISCONTINUOUS FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITES

The mechanics underlying the stiffness of discontinuous fibre-reinforced composites are well understood. In particular the critical fibre aspect ratio is known to affect the resultant deformation of the composite. This paper will explain how the Cox theory can be used to determine the critical aspect ratio for a given fibre/matrix combination at a given volume fraction. Supporting experimental evidence for the key dependencies influencing the critical aspect ratio are shown at the microscopic level (by a Raman spectroscopic approach) and at the macroscopic level (by a tensile creep approach) for a series of different composite materials.