The effect of fiber distribution on the compressive strength of hybrid polymer composites

Abstract

The effect of fiber distribution, in glass/carbon hybrid fiber composites, on the compressive kinking strength is studied using a 3D finite element-based micromechanical model. Existing experimental data from literature have indicated negative effects of hybridizing glass to carbon on the compressive strength. In this study a micromechanical modeling approach has been adopted to study the role of relative locations of glass and carbon fibers and their distributions on the predicted peak compressive strength. In the micromechanical model, the hybridization ratio was varied by changing the number of glass fibers relative to the number of carbon fibers. The effect of fiber distribution was studied by changing the interfiber spacing and location. Results obtained from the analysis indicate the importance of symmetric fiber distribution. It was found that the distribution with glass fiber in the center with a distribution of carbon fibers on the exterior is able to enhance the compressive strength as compared to an unsymmetrical arrangement of fibers in the model.