Rule of Mixture for Composites
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Introduction
• Mechanical properties of composites depends on the volume fraction of
reinforcement and matrix.
• The basic properties can be calculated using rule-of-mixture principle with
some assumptions
• The type of reinforcement (fiber, particle or whiskers) and their
orientation play a major role in determining the strength of composites
• In composites, if fibers are oriented at an angle, their strength along the
fiber direction will be more than the other directions
• In particle reinforced composites, distribution of particle through out the
component is key to provide uniform material property
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Volume Fraction
Volume fraction of fiber, vf = volume of fiber/ volume of composite
Volume of composite, vc = vf + vm
For unit volume of composite, 1 = vf + vm
Volume fraction of matrix, vm = 1 – vf
Notations used in rule-of-mixture are as follows:
c, f, m represent composite, fiber, matrix respectively, V is Volume fraction, P is
load withstand, A is cross sectional area, E is Elastic modulus, σ is stress, ε is Strain,
μ is Poisson ratio and ρ is Density
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Rule of Mixture
When a fiber oriented composite is loaded in the longitudinal direction of fiber
alignment then the strain in the fiber, matrix, and composite are equal (iso-strain).
For iso-strain condition, εc = εf = εm
Load withstand by composite, Pc = Pf + Pm
Load withstand can also be written as, σcAc = σf Af + σm Am
Stress of composite for longitudinal load, σ c = σf vf + σm vm
Longitudinal Elastic Modulus of composite, EcL = Ef vf + Em vm
Poisson ratio of composite, μ12 = vf μf + vmμm
Density of composite, ρc = ρf vf + ρm vm
Fraction of load taken by fiber,
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Rule of Mixture cont….
When a fiber oriented composite is loaded in the transverse direction of fiber
alignment then the stress in the fiber, matrix, and composite are equal (iso-stress).
For iso-stress condition, σc = σf = σm
Strain of the composite, εc = εf vf + εmvm
Transverse elastic modulus of composite,
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Rule of Mixture cont….
• In particle reinforced composite the elastic modulus shall fall between a upper and
lower values as per volume fraction.
• The particles are assumed to be evenly distributed throughout the matrix
Upper Elastic Modulus of composite,
Lower Elastic Modulus of composite,
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Tutorial 1
Calculate the longitudinal modulus and tensile strength of a unidirectional composite
containing 55 percent by volume of Sisal fibers in epoxy matrix. The modulus and
strength of fiber is 30 GPa and 600 MPa respectively and the same for matrix is 3.5 GPa
and 100 MPa respectively. Find the fraction of load taken by fibers in the composite.
Solution:
Volume fraction of fiber, Vf = 0.55 or 55 %
Volume fraction of matrix, Vm = 1 – 0.55 = 0.45 or 45 %
Longitudinal Modulus of composite, EcL = 30 x 0.55 + 3.5 x 0.45 = 18.1 GPa
Longitudinal strength of composite , σc = 600 x 0.55 + 100 x 0.45 = 375 MPa
Fraction of load taken by fiber,
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Tutorial 2
A metal-Matrix composite is made from a Boron fibre reinforced in Aluminium alloy. To form
the Boron fibre, a Tungsten wire (r=10 μm) is coated with Boron, giving a final radius of
75μm. The Aluminium alloy is then bonded around the Boron fibres, given a volume fraction
of 0.65 for the Aluminium alloy. Assuming that rule of mixtures applies also to ternary
mixtures; calculate the effective tensile elastic modulus of composite material under isostrain
conditions. Given ETungsten = 410GPa; EBoran = 379GPa and EAluminium= 68.9GPa.
Solution:
Assume unit length of fiber and find the volume fraction of tungsten wire
Volume fraction of Tungsten wire, VT = 10/75 = 0.133
Elastic Modulus of Boron fiber, Ef = 410 x 0.133 + 379 x (1 - 0.133) = 383 GPa
Elastic Modulus of composite, Ec = 383 x (1 - 0.65) + 68.9 x 0.65 = 178.8 GPa
Dr. Arockia Julias A
Thank you
Reference:
1. Fiber Reinforced Composites by P K Mallick
2. Materials Science and Engineering by William D Callister
