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Can the maximum volume fraction ensure optimum reinforcement in short‐fiber composites?
Author(s) -
Cruces Florencia,
García María Guadalupe,
Ochoa Nelio Ariel
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.47821
Subject(s) - composite material , materials science , volume fraction , ultimate tensile strength , reinforcement , composite number , fiber , volume (thermodynamics) , elastic modulus , polymer , modulus , matrix (chemical analysis) , sisal , physics , quantum mechanics
Short sisal fiber composites (SSFCs) based on a pectin matrix were prepared and characterized mechanical and optically. Different concentrations (1–30 wt %) of fibers were used to evaluate the packing effect on the reinforcement of a polymer matrix. Theoretical models were used to obtain the maximum packing or volume fraction (ϕ max ) of randomly oriented short fibers and its relationship with the mechanical parameters. A higher elastic modulus and tensile strength were observed when the fiber content was increased in the composite at a fixed aspect ratio (length/diameter = 2.8). Material selection charts showed that SSFCs with a fiber concentration of 20 wt % had a higher reinforcement effect at ϕ max , as was predicted through theoretical models. Nevertheless, SSFCs with a fiber concentration of 7 wt % presented optimum reinforcement because it resulted in the strongest and lightest composite material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47821.