The elastic properties of Interpenetrating Phase Composites reinforced by regular lattice and Voronoi fibre networks

Zhang, Zhengyang 2020. The elastic properties of Interpenetrating Phase Composites reinforced by regular lattice and Voronoi fibre networks. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) are a class of composites in which two or more constituent phases are continuous in their geometry and each phase is a self connected network in its architecture or microstructure. The reinforcement phase of the IPCs has a cellular network structure, and the lattice structured reinforcement IPCs can be fabricated by different methods. Although the prediction of the mechanical properties of IPCs has long been a research hotspot in composite materials, the effects of the geometrical structures and mechanical properties of the constituent materials on the mechanical properties of the composite are less known. This thesis provides a numerical approach to predict the elastic properties of IPCs reinforced by different types of lattice structures and Voronoi fibre networks, and by different combinations of the constituent materials using finite element method (FEM). Four different types of regular lattice reinforced IPCs are constructed via Boolean operations and modelled using solid elements. The simulation shows that the Young’s modulus of the composites strongly depends on the Poisson’s ratios of the two constituent materials, and it can exceed the Voigt limit when the Poisson’s ratio of the matrix is negative. In order to achieve a negative Poisson’s ratio for the composite materials, three types of auxetic lattice structured IPCs are constructed. The simulation results of the IPCs reinforced by auxetic lattice structures shows that they all could have either a positive, or a negative, or a zero Poisson’s ratio. The magnitude of the Poisson’s ratio depends on the combination between the fibre angle, the type of the fibre-network, the fibre volume fraction, and the mechanical properties of the component materials. To represent the reinforcement of random fibre network structure, IPCs reinforced by a 3D Voronoi open-cell foam are constructed, and their elastic properties are simulated. Their results show elastic properties similar to those of IPCs reinforced by regular lattice structures. Different types of structures are compared to find which is the best in given conditions. This study could provide a good guide for designing the architecture and microstructure of interpenetrating phase composites.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Composite; Representative Volume Element; Elastic properties; Interpenetrating; Auxetic; Voronoi.
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	9 October 2020
Last Modified:	05 Aug 2022 01:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/135458

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