EVALUATION OF BEHAVIOR UNDER TENSILE LOADS OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS HYBRID WOVEN - VINYLESTER MATRIX BY THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

Hybrid composites present a wide range of mechanical properties that cannot be obtained with a single fibers type. These characteristics are highly dependent on the orientation and configuration of each reinforcement. Thus simulation studies that predict the properties of these materials are increasingly sought in order to make the best design possible. In the present work, finite element modeling has been used to develop a methodology to determine the mechanical properties of hybrid Kevlar-carbon laminates, which are frequently applied to manufacture small vessels, starting from the characteristics of the matrix and fibers that compose them. The initially employed methodology established the hypothesis required to define the characteristics of a hybrid fabric sheet from the properties and geometry of the fibers and resin. The properties of the laminate, considered a stack of sheets, are determined with the obtained data. This method was validated by comparing the simulation values with the experimental results obtained in the tensile tests. Errors related to mechanical strength were around 5-10%, and up to 30% for deformation. Keywords: Composite, FEM, Solidworks, kevlar-carbono, vinylester