The effect of voids on the elastic properties of textile reinforced composites

In this paper, the effect of voids an the elastic properties of textile composites is investigated. The investigation is carried out in two steps. First, the volume fraction and spatial distribution of voids are characterized using stereological analysis and image enhancement techniques. Then, an analytical model, that takes into consideration the effect of voids' location and volume fraction, is constructed. It uses the theory of reinforcing by slip and Eshelby's and Mori-Tanaka theories of composites with voids/inclusions in the micro-mechanics solution. The micro-level analysis is integrated with the graphical integrated numerical analysis (CINE). Results obtained from the analytical model are compared to experimental data for a balanced plain weave Nicalon(R)/SiC composite. The predicted range of results encompassed most of the experimental data.