The elastic constants of an isotropic matrix reinforced with imperfectly oriented fibres

Abstract

Elastic constants are derived for composites consisting of fibres imperfectly aligned in an elastic matrix. The reduction in the axial Young's modulus is found as a function of angular fibre scatter for various values of fibre-matrix modulus ratio and fibre volume fraction. Applying this to resins reinforced with well-aligned whiskers it is concluded that the modulus reduction is of the order of 4% with respect to the perfectly aligned system.