Mechanical properties prediction of polypropylene/short coir fibers composites using a self-consistent approach

摘要

Short coir fibers composite of thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) matrix was successfully prepared by using a twin-screw extruder and an injection molding machine. In order to provide a better understanding of the effect of fiber orientation and concentration (2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) on the mechanical properties of short coir fibers reinforced PP, a self-consistent approach was developed based on a modified Hirsch model by taking the empirical parameter (x) proportionally to the fiber orientation factor (alpha). Finally, the results are compared with other models (Hirsch and Tsai-Pagano) and validated with experimental data. Overall, our approach was found to better predict the mechanical results in terms of Young's modulus, tensile strength and torsion modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1919-1929, 2019. (c) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers