Effect of elastic–plastic matrix on thermo-mechanical response of continuous anisotropic fiber-reinforced composites

Abstract Based on a concentric cylinder model, the analytical elastic–plastic solution of deformations and stresses for the composites reinforced with transversely isotropic, circumferentially orthotropic and radially orthotropic fibers subjected to axisymmetric thermo-mechanical loading is developed. How the plasticity, volume fraction, physical and mechanical properties of the matrix affect the elastic–plastic thermo-mechanical response of the composites is investigated. The plasticity of the matrix decreases greatly the axial compressive stress in the matrix, but more noticeably increases the axial compressive stress in the fiber. For the composites reinforced with transversely isotropic, circumferentially orthotropic and radially orthotropic fibers, decreasing the volume fraction, thermal expansion coefficient and Young's modulus, and increasing the yield stress and hardening parameter of the matrix can lower the maximum equivalent stress of the fiber. However, increasing the yield stress and hardening parameter of the matrix raises the maximum equivalent stress of the matrix.