Evaluation of Viscoelastic Characteristics of Short-fiber Reinforced Composite by Indentation Method

Indentation tests are performed to evaluate the viscoelastic characteristics of a short-fiber reinforced composite. Finite element analysis is also carried out to estimate the macroscopic viscoelastic characteristics of the composite by using a unit cell models. The results of indentation tests show that a force-displacement curve obtained by the indentation test depends on the area of the fibers appeared in the impression. The creep compliance evaluated by these indentation tests is compared to that by the finite element analysis. As the results, it is suggested that the result of indentation test performed on the surface of the composite without fibers means the measurement result for isotropic composite or anisotropic composite in the direction of the smallest rigidity. On the other hand, indentation test performed on the fiber indicates the measurement result of anisotropic composite in the direction of the largest rigidity. These results present the method to measure the macroscopic characteristics of short-fiber reinforced composite by indentation tests.