A model to predict the strength of short fiber composites

The material properties of short fiber composites, such as modulus, strengt h and thermal expansion, are greatly dependent on the fiber orientation sta te in the composite. Although the orientation pattern is often quite comple x, models that allow its prediction have been successfully applied in combi nation with micromechanical models to calculate moduli and thermal properti es. This paper describes the derivation of a model to predict the strength of short fiber composites with arbitrary fiber orientation and fiber length distribution based on classical (micro-) mechanical theories. The predicti ons are in good agreement with data measured on short fiber composites with different fiber contents.