Modeling a Composite Reinforced with Short Alfa Fibers to Determine its Fatigue and Structural Homogenization

Abstract

The fatigue and homogenization of polypropylene reinforced with untreated and chemically treated short Alfa fibers were investigated using a modified Mori–Tanaka model. The polypropylene with chemically treated fibers showed a higher resistance than that with untreated ones. Cylindrical fibers with elliptical cross sections were used in experiments. Their mechanical characteristics were determined by the inverse method.