In an attempt to fully utilize the mechanical properties of bast fibers in polymer-matrix composites, unidirectional (UD) or quasi-UD flax-fiber-reinforced composites are being developed and characterized. Their response in tension is markedly nonlinear both in on- and off-axis loading. A semiempirical tensor-linear model is applied to describe such deformation nonlinearity in active combined loading. The deformation model of UD ply, combined with an elementary laminate theory, is used to predict the stress–strain curves of laminated composites in tension. Reasonable accuracy of prediction is demonstrated for fiber-dominated layups.
ShahDU. Developing plant fibre composites for structural applications by optimising composite parameters: a critical review. J Mater Sci2013; 48: 6083–6107.
2.
GoutianosSPeijsT. The optimisation of flax fibre yarns for the development of high-performance natural fibre composites. Adv Compos Lett2003; 12: 234–237.
3.
GoutianosSPeijsTNystromB. Development of flax fibre based textile reinforcements for composite applications. Appl Compos Mater2006; 13: 199–215.
4.
BaetsJPlastriaDIvensJ. Determination of the optimal flax fibre preparation for use in unidirectional flax-epoxy composites. J Reinf Plast Compos2014; 33: 493–502.
OksmanK. High quality flax fibre composites manufactured by the resin transfer moulding process. J Reinf Plast Compos2001; 20: 621–627.
7.
RomhányGKarger-KocsisJCzigányT. Tensile fracture and failure behavior of thermoplastic starch with unidirectional and cross-ply flax fiber reinforcements. Macromol Mater Eng2003; 288: 699–707.
8.
HughesMCarpenterJHillC. Deformation and fracture behaviour of flax fibre reinforced thermosetting polymer matrix composites. J Mater Sci2007; 42: 2499–2511.
9.
CharletKJernotJ-PGominaM. Mechanical properties of flax fibers and of the derived unidirectional composites. J Compos Mater2010; 44: 2887–2896.
10.
BaleyCLe DuigouABourmaudA. Influence of drying on the mechanical behaviour of flax fibres and their unidirectional composites. Compos Part A2012; 43: 1226–1233.
11.
ShahDUSchubelPJCliffordMJ. The tensile behavior of off-axis loaded plant fiber composites: an insight on the nonlinear stress–strain response. Polym Compos2012; 33: 1494–1504.
12.
CorollerGLefeuvreALe DuigouA. Effect of flax fibres individualisation on tensile failure of flax/epoxy unidirectional composite. Compos Part A2013; 51: 62–70.
13.
KannanTGWuCMChengKB. Effect of reinforcement on the mechanical and thermal properties of flax/polypropylene interwoven fabric composites. J Indus Text2013; 42: 417–433.
14.
Kersani M, Lomov SV, Van Vuure AW, et al. Damage in flax/epoxy quasi-unidirectional woven laminates under quasi-static tension. J Compos Mater. Epub ahead of print 2015; 49: 403–413.
15.
BaleyCPerrotYBusnelF. Transverse tensile behaviour of unidirectional plies reinforced with flax fibres. Mater Lett2006; 60: 2984–2987.
16.
Andersons J and Joffe R. Initiation and propagation controlled intralaminar cracking in cross-ply laminates. In: Lechkov M and Prandzheva S (eds) Encyclopedia of polymer composites: properties, performance and applications. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc, 2010, pp.477–510.
17.
LagzdinsATetersGZilaucsA. Nonlinear deformation of composites with consideration of the effect of couple-stresses. Mech Compos Mater1998; 34: 403–418.
18.
Spārniņš E, Modniks J and Andersons J. Experimental study of the mechanical properties of unidirectional flax fiber composite. In: Proceedings of the 15th international conference on experimental mechanics, Porto, Portugal, 22–27 July 2012, paper no. 2743, 7p.
19.
Modniks J, Spārniņš E, Andersons J, et al. Analysis of the effect of a stress raiser on the strength of a UD flax/epoxy composite in off-axis tension. J Compos Mater. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.1177/0021998314528827.
KroupaTLasVZemcíkR. Improved nonlinear stress-strain relation for carbon-epoxy composites and identification of material parameters. J Compos Mater2011; 45: 1045–1057.
22.
McCarthyCTO’HigginsRMFrizzellRM. A cubic spline implementation of non-linear shear behaviour in three-dimensional progressive damage models for composite laminates. Compos Struct2010; 92: 173–181.
23.
PoilâneCCherifZERichardF. Polymer reinforced by flax fibres as a viscoelastoplastic material. Compos Struct2014; 112: 100–112.
24.
KuznetsovSFPartsevskiiVV. Modeling the failure of thin-walled structural elements made of laminated multidirectional composite materials. Mech Compos Mater1983; 19: 20–26.
25.
WisnomMR. The effect of fibre rotation in ±45° tension tests on measured shear properties. Composites1995; 26: 25–32.
26.
GaneshVKNaikNK. (±45) degree off-axis tension test for shear characterization of plain weave fabric composites. J Compos Technol Res1997; 19: 77–87.
