A mean-field micromechanical approach to design of multiphase composite laminates

A mean-field micromechanical model has been applied to design and analysis of nonlinear behavior of multiphase composite laminates. The analysis accounts for visco-elastic–plastic deformations of the composites. Using the developed model, a numerical study has been made, which includes the tensile behavior of angle-ply carbon fiber/polycarbonate composite laminates, thermal expansion behavior of angle-ply grass fiber/polypropylene composite laminates, and thermo-mechanical behavior of angle-ply grass fiber/SiCw/polycarbonate hybrid composite laminates with a high thermal dimensional stability. The simulation has well represented experimental data and provided a new insight into design of multiphase composite laminates.

Research highlights
► A mean-field micromechanical model is applied to design of composite laminates.
► Tensile behavior of angle-ply CF/PC composite laminates is studied.
► Near-zero CTEs in angle-ply GF/PP composite laminates are investigated.
► Angle-ply GF/SiCw/PP hybrid composite laminates with near-zero CTEs are studied.