Parameters controlling the strength of stochastic fibrous materials.

Many materials of everyday use are fibrous and their strength is important in most applications. In this work we study the dependence of the strength of random fiber networks on structural parameters such as the network density, cross-link density, fiber tortuosity, and the strength of the inter-fiber cross-links. Athermal networks of cellular and fibrous type are considered. We conclude that the network strength scales linearly with the cross-link number density and with the cross-link strength for a broad range of network parameters, and for both types of networks considered. Network strength is independent of fiber material properties and of fiber tortuosity. This information can be used to design fiber networks for specified strength and, generally, to understand the mechanical behavior of fibrous materials.