The elastic properties of composites reinforced by a 3D Voronoi fibre network with or without missing fibres

Abstract: Many composite materials, both natural and fabricated, process a Voronoi like architecture or microstructure. Furthermore, the stochasticity and connectivity of Voronoi tessellation endow the composite materials constructed by this kind of structures a wide range of desired properties including high and tuneable stiffness, high strength and good manufacturability. Thus, Voronoi-based fibre network structures are regarded as promising designs of composite reinforcements, as well as powerful tools in composite mechanics simulations. In this paper, the elastic properties of composites reinforced by a 3D Voronoi fibre network are systemically investigated based on the precise control of the Voronoi cell regularity. The regularity of the reinforcement fibre networks, according to our definition, is found positively related to the Young's moduli of the composites. Interestingly, 20% percent of defects in total reinforcement fibres only causes a less than 6.5% of Young's moduli drop in Voronoi fibre network reinforced composite. The Voronoi fibre network reinforced composites also shows higher Young's moduli than those of conventional composites with discrete reinforcements. The possibility of simulating aerogels by Voronoi fibre network structures are also presented.