Elastic moduli of fibrous composites containing misaligned fibres

Abstract

There are many processes in the manufacture of industrial continuous-fibre composites which may result in slight buckling of the fibres. The measured values of their tensile elastic moduli will be below those of carefully prepared laboratory test-pieces. This phenomenon is analysed, by considering the curved fibres as waves producing shear or extensional strains in the matrix. The analysis and conclusions distinguish between various sources of misalignment, and include consideration of fibre straightening.