IKV: Research for Practical Application Short-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics: Targeted Analysis of Fatigue Behavior and Improvement of Service Life

Short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are increasingly being used in high-stress applications—such as in automotive and equipment manufacturing. However, the inhomogeneous fiber orientation makes it difficult to reliably predict fatigue behavior. Researchers at the IKV demonstrate how targeted specimen fabrication, experimental analyses, and micromechanical simulations can lead to a better understanding of damage mechanisms and the development of more precise service life models.

Understanding the Fatigue Behavior of Short-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics

Short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are increasingly being used in applications subject to fatigue loads, such as in automotive and equipment manufacturing. These materials are manufactured using injection molding, a process that results in a process-dependent distribution of fiber orientation across the wall thickness. This inhomogeneous anisotropy complicates damage analysis, as layer interactions cause a dependence on the fiber distribution. However, a method developed at the IKV makes it possible to produce test specimens with homogeneous, highly oriented fibers, thereby allowing for the investigation of damage mechanisms free from such interactions.