Computer simulation of bending a fibrous composite reinforced with auxetic phase.

A two phase, fibrous composite subjected to bending nonuniform load is studied in this article. The composite is built of two constituents: the matrix is built of conventional material characterised by constant positive Poisson's ratio, whereas the Poisson's ratio of fibres is changed from positive (common materials) to negative values (auxetics). The influence of the arrangement of fibres, the volume fraction of fibres' materials and the distribution of loading force is studied by means of FEM. The behaviour of the composite is investigated in order to determine if auxetic reinforcement improves rigidity and indentation resistance of the composite. The results obtained confirm that auxetics can be used in composites to decrease deformation in the direction of acting force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]