Stochastic aspects of crack deflection and crack path prediction in short fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites

Owing to the production process, short fiber reinforced composites exhibit a pronounced anisotropy of both elastic properties and crack growth resistance. In particular latter issue has major impact on deflection inevitably be taken into account for sake an accurate prediction paths. The perpendicular axes transverse isotropy are associated with orientations, whereupon in direction encounters largest fracture toughness. While local mean orientations polymer matrix determined by injection molding their statistical fluctuations can approximately described terms Gaussian random field models. Furthermore, variations volume fraction fibers fiber–matrix adhesion give rise stochasticity ratio toughness anisotropy. Influencing factors regions paths obtained from finite element simulations adapted J-integral criterion investigated, just as stochastic aspects bifurcation phenomena observed under mode-I loading.