Effect of fibre aspect ratio and aggregation on nonlinear material property of random cellulose reinforced composites: A multiscale computational study. (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uetsuji, Yasutomo; Yasuda, Shogai; Teramoto, Yoshikuni
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 301(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Bio-composite -- Fibre contribution -- Random orientation -- Nonlinear tensile behavior -- Asymptotic homogenization; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2022.116201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Nonlinear stress–strain relation of random cellulose FRP was clarified by multiscale simulation. Tensile strength fluctuated by 39.6 % and 4.20 % depending on fibre aspect ratio and aggregation. The proposed parameter of fibre contribution was available for uniform design of cellulose FRP. Fibre aspect ratio and aggregation belonged to secondary factors in term of fibre contribution. Abstract: Multiscale finite element analysis based on the asymptotic homogenisation theory was performed on cellulose-fibre-reinforced plastics. Polypropylene, a thermoplastic resin, was used as the matrix, and the effect of the fibre morphology on the nonlinear response of the material was clarified. A new indicator, that is, the proportion of the fibre contribution based on strain energy, was applied to quantify the effect of reinforcing fibres in improving the mechanical properties. Representative volume element models of randomly oriented fibre dispersion were constructed using a random sequential adsorption algorithm, and the effects of the fibre aspect ratio and aggregation on the nonlinear response under a tensile load were clarified. Consequently, it was deduced that the elastic properties and maximum tensile stress fluctuated by 26.8 % and 39.6 %, respectively, depending on the fibre aspect ratio, and 5.95 % and 4.20 %, respectively, owing to fibre aggregation. Furthermore, by introducing the fibre contribution proportion, we found that both the fibre aspect ratio and aggregation belong to the secondary factor, and their influence can be evaluated almost uniformly by the increase rate determined from the fibre orientation distribution of the primary factor.