Prediction of the tensile properties of biocomposites: a review of micro-mechanical models

This article provides a comprehensive review of the suitability of the various micro-mechanical models for accurately predicting the tensile properties, namely, tensile strength (TS) and Young’s modulus (YM) of the biocomposites. A brief overview of the developed conventional micro-mechanical models based on the assumption of unidirectional long fibers has been discussed initially. It further examines how these models have evolved to account for the complexities introduced by different fiber orientations and geometries and the approaches to enhance the accuracy of the different micro-mechanical models that have been proposed over the years. This article also highlights other key parameters such as fiber geometry, fiber length, fiber packing, fiber-matrix interfacial bonding, and fiber orientation which have to be accounted for reducing the discrepancies between the predicted values and experimental data. Models developed for composites reinforced with continuous long fibers and those with randomly oriented short fibers are explored. This article also evaluates the accuracy of these models and identifies key parameters influencing their predictions.