A numerical model for prediction of the uncertainties in long fibre reinforced thermoplastics

Long fibre reinforced composite materials with thermoplastic matrix are a new class of composite material suitable especially for industrial scale applications. They combine the advantages of short fibre reinforced plastics and infinite fibre reinforced materials. Due to the limited fibre length, LFT materials may be processed by many standard technologies for thermoplastic materials. In comparison to short fibre reinforced materials, the increased fibre length results in superior properties. However, for the numerical analysis of components in the industrial design process, LFT material suffer from their disordered irregular microstructure which causes a distinct uncertainty in the macroscopic material and thus the structural response of components consisting thereof.