Mechanical properties prediction of polypropylene/short coir fibers composites using a self‐consistent approach

Short coir fibers composite of thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) matrix was successfully prepared by using a twin‐screw extruder and an injection molding machine. In order to provide a better understanding of the effect of fiber orientation and concentration (2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) on the mechanical properties of short coir fibers reinforced PP, a self‐consistent approach was developed based on a modified Hirsch model by taking the empirical parameter (x) proportionally to the fiber orientation factor (α). Finally, the results are compared with other models (Hirsch and Tsai‐Pagano) and validated with experimental data. Overall, our approach was found to better predict the mechanical results in terms of Young's modulus, tensile strength and torsion modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1919–1929, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers