Use the micromechanics tool to easily derive the properties of your lamina material.
In designing composite materials, it is often necessary to determine the engineering properties for varying types and proportions of fiber and matrix constituents. For example, what are the effects of changing the matrix material or increasing the fiber volume?
In this tutorial we will use the micromechanics tool in Helius Composite to derive the properties of the lamina material for a known fiber and matrix.
Micromechanics with Helius Composite
The micromechanics module uses a detailed finite element model of a fiber/matrix unit cell. The model features a hexagonal distribution of parallel fibers embedded in a matrix material.
The model uses the properties of the fiber and matrix along with the fiber volume fraction to calculate the elastic properties of the composite. Fundamental load-deformation relationships are simulated with the finite element model to determine the elastic properties.
Calculate Lamina Properties
We wish to calculate the lamina properties for a ply containing IM7 Carbon fiber and 5505 Epoxy matrix. The matrix makes up 30.97% of the ply weight.
- First we will determine the volume occupied by the fiber constituent. Click .
- Select the IM7 Carbon in the fiber type drop-down menu.
- Select the 5505 Epoxy in the matrix type drop-down menu.
- Enter the known matrix weight of 30.97% in the appropriate box. Click in one of the other three boxes. The window should look like the image below.
We can now use the fiber volume fraction calculated in the last step to determine the lamina properties.
- Click
- In the dialog that appears, select the IM7 Carbon fiber and 5505 Epoxy matrix materials on the Calculate tab.
- Enter the fiber volume fraction from above (61.30%) and click Calculate.
- The Results tab should now appear as shown below
- You may now save the lamina to the material database or easily repeat the process for different fibers, matrices, or fiber volume fractions.
Note: If the desired fiber or matrix constituents are not in the drop-down menus, you may create a new fiber and matrix from the New Item module.