Understanding heterogeneity in discontinuous compression composite materials for high-volume applications

To understand the mechanisms contributing to material heterogeneity in discontinuous compression moulded composite materials, a data rich study combining digital image correlation (DIC), thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) is presented. Initial results show that DIC and TSA are capable of capturing variability in surface strains and stresses when subjected to a cyclic load, and X-ray CT has been used to quantify volumetric variability in local resin volume content and distribution of local fibre orientations, which all contribute to the complex response detected on the component surface.