Homogenization and averaging methods to predict elastic properties of pre-impregnated composite materials

The paper presents a homogenization method and some averaging methods to predict the elastic properties of multiphase pre-impregnated composite materials like Sheet Molding Compounds (SMCs). The upper and lower limits of the homogenized coefficients for a 27% fibers volume fraction SMC have been computed. A comparison between the upper and lower limits of the homogenized elastic coefficients for a 27% fibers volume fraction SMC and the experimental data is presented. The estimation model used as a homogenization method of these heterogeneous composite materials, gave emphasis to a good agreement between this theoretical approach and experimental data.