Validation of Fiber Breakage in Simple Shear Flow with Direct Fiber Simulation

Journal of Composites Science, vol. 4, pp. 134

Abstract

This study aims to use particle level simulation to simulate the breakage behavior of glass fibers subjected to simple shear flow. Each fiber is represented as a chain of rods that experience hydrodynamic, interaction, and elastic effects. In order to validate the approach of the model, the simulation results were compared to simple shear flow experiments conducted in a Couette Rheometer. The excluded volume force constants and critical fiber breakage curvature were tuned in the simulation to gain a better understanding of the system. Relaxation of the fiber clusters and a failure probability theory were introduced into the model to solve the fiber entanglement and thus, better fit the experimental behavior. The model showed agreement with the prediction on fiber length reduction in both number average length and weight average length. In addition, the simulation had a similar trend of breakage distribution compared to a loop test using glass fibers.

Authors 6

1. Tzu-Chuan Chang corresponding

   University of Wisconsin–Madison

   Affiliation as printed

   Polymer Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA

2. Abrahán Bechara Senior

   University of Wisconsin–Madison

   Affiliation as printed

   Polymer Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA

3. Hakan Çelik Aachen IKV Institute for Plastics Processing in Industry and Craft

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   IKV Institute for Plastics Processing in Industry and Craft, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Dave W. A. Brands

   Saudi Arabia Basic Industries (Netherlands)

   Affiliation as printed

   Global Application Technology, SABIC, 6160 AH Geleen, The Netherlands

5. Angel Yanev

   Saudi Arabia Basic Industries (Netherlands)

   Affiliation as printed

   Global Application Technology, SABIC, 6160 AH Geleen, The Netherlands

6. Tim Andreas Osswald

   University of Wisconsin–Madison

   Affiliation as printed

   Polymer Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA