Module B5.

9EH2: Mechanical Engineering Science 8

Part 1: SA1.2

Part A: Unidirectionally reinforced composites

Choose one combination of fibre and matrix from the list below and investigate quantitatively the range of strength
and modulus that could be obtained using unidirectional short and continuous fibre reinforcement. You should ensure
that your chosen combinations conform to a brittle fibre model.
Material Young’s Poisson’s ratio UTS (MPa)
Modulus (GPa)
Matrix 1 3.4 0.34 55
Matrix 2 2.4 0.34 60
Matrix 3 1.1 0.36 98
Matrix 4 3.6 0.36 37
Fibre 1 72 0.22 2000
Fibre 2 230 0.25 3200
Fibre 3 131 0.34 3800
Fibre 4 400 0.25 2900

Shear strengths of fibre-matrix interface (MPa)

Matrix 1 Matrix 2 Matrix 3 Matrix 4
Fibre 1 23 23 29 16
Fibre 2 25 26 32 18
Fibre 3 45 50 75 27
Fibre 4 23 23 29 16

Part B: Calculating the elastic properties of laminates

Choose one combination of fibre and matrix from the list below and investigate quantitatively the range of elastic
moduli that could be obtained using laminates.
Material Young’s Poisson’s ratio
Modulus (GPa)
Matrix 1 (polyester) 3.5 0.34
Matrix 2 (epoxy) 2.2 0.34
Matrix 3 (nylon 6.6) 2.6 0.39
Matrix 4 (phenolic) 3.8 0.36
Matrix 5 (PEEK) 1.5 0.36
Fibre 1 (E-glass) 75 0.22
Fibre 2 (std. modulus carbon) 230 0.25
Fibre 3 Aramid (Kevlar) 150 0.34
Fibre 4 (int. modulus carbon) 300 0.25
Fibre 5 (high modulus carbon) 450 0.25

Advice
You should spend around seven hours working on this exercise. Write a single, brief, integrated report (150-300
words) on your findings, supported by graphs and tables, as appropriate. Keep detailed calculations along with any
secondary files (e.g. spreadsheets) as an evidence file, which you can refer to from your report. Do not submit your
evidence file but retain it in case it is asked for during the marking process.

The report must be submitted at the end of Week 5, Saturday 10th February, 2018 at 11:59 (UK time). The
submission must be in electronic format using the instructions issued through Vision. Each report must contain
a statement that the work is the author’s own unless otherwise acknowledged. Reports not containing this
declaration will not be marked.

You should aim to investigate the effect of one or more variable on laminate and ply properties and to demonstrate
your understanding of as many of the methods as you can. A maximum of 11 marks of the 15 will be allocated to
your showing competence across the range of the techniques, the last 4 marks being reserved for students who show
some adventure in their application of the methods. Avoid combinations that have already been worked through in
the tutorial examples. You will probably need to use some aids, such as Matlab and/or Excel to investigate the effects
of variables and plot results. When doing so, take care to retain evidence of any code and algorithms that you used
as these may be asked for.

RLR, FG, C-KT

January 2018