Computational Modeling of Natural Fiber Composites: Assessing the Accuracy of Coupled Simulation for Predicting Mechanical Properties

The increasing use of natural fiber composites (NFCs) as a substitute for synthetic fibers like glass and carbon fibers is driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental responsibility within engineering industries. A key challenge is to fully understand the connection between fiber orientation and the mechanical behavior of wood fibers (WFs) in these composites. This study evaluates a computational method coupling injection molding simulation with finite element analysis, using fiber orientation tensor mapping to analyze wood fiber composites (WFCs). The approach involves tensile testing of specimens with varying fiber orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°) and comparing the results with numerical simulations. Key findings highlight the anisotropic nature of WFCs, with 0° oriented specimens showing distinct mechanical behavior compared to 45° and 90° specimens. The study also demonstrates the effectiveness of the computational models, with strong agreement between experimental and simulation results. This research enhances the understanding of WFC mechanics, crucial for optimizing structural integrity, cost-efficiency, and sustainability in real-world applications, and suggests that WFs exhibit less breakage than glass fibers, indicating their potential durability.