Create a new lamina using fiber and matrix properties.
If you need to define a new fiber-reinforced composite material, but do not have measured properties for the composite material, Helius Composite can use micromechanics to calculate the properties of the new composite material based on known properties of the fiber and matrix constituent materials.
The micromechanics module, developed for polymer matrix composites, utilizes a detailed finite element model of a fiber/matrix unit cell. The unit cell features a uniform hexagonal distribution of parallel fibers embedded in a matrix material. The micromechanical finite element model uses the properties of fiber and matrix materials you specify and the fiber volume fraction you specify. Helius Composite determines the composite material's elastic properties (e.g., moduli and Poisson ratios) by using the micromechanical finite element model to simulate the various fundamental load/deformation relationships of the composite material. The use of the micromechanics module is described below.
Selecting the New Lamina from Micromechanics option from the New Item menu brings up the Calculate Lamina Properties window shown below. Note, the Calculate Lamina Properties window has two tabs: Calculator and Results. Within the Calculator tab, you specify data that defines the new lamina material. The Results tab is used to display the properties of the new lamina material computed with the micromechanics module. All of the data items entered in the Calculate Lamina Properties window are described below.
- Material Selection - You must identify the constituent materials that make up the new lamina by selecting a fiber material and a matrix material from the Helius Composite material database. The micromechanics module will use the properties of the selected fiber and matrix materials to compute elastic properties and strengths of the new lamina material.
- Percent Content - You must specify the fiber volume fraction (as a percent) or the matrix volume fraction (as a percent). If you only have fiber and matrix weight fractions, then Helius Composite's Vf-Wf Converter can be used to convert weight fractions to volume fractions.
- Calculate - After completing Items 1 and 2, click the Calculate button to run the micromechanics module to compute the elastic properties and strengths of the new lamina. Upon completion of the micromechanics calculations, the Calculate Lamina Properties window automatically switches to the Results tab to display the properties of the new lamina. Note that if the properties of the new lamina are unacceptable, you can simply go back to the Calculator tab, change one or more of the input data items, and recalculate the properties of the new lamina.
- Save Results - The new lamina material can be entered in the material database by clicking the Save button that appears under the Results tab. Once the new lamina is entered into the material database, the lamina material can be used to define new laminates.