Preparation of FRP Model Composites with controlled Fiber Arrangement Uniformity and Effect of Fiber Arrangement Uniformity on Their Fracture Behavior

Abstract

In this study, the unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer model composites were prepared by controlling the geometric fiber arrangement uniformly and nonuniformly using 20 carbon fibers and epoxy resin. The effects of nonuniform fiber arrangement on the macroscopic fracture properties and mesoscopic fracture process were investigated based on the results of the tensile test and fracture surface observation for the prepared model composites. While the difference in fracture load was scarcely induced by the difference in fiber arrangement uniformity, the matrix cracking morphology was affected by fiber arrangement uniformity. The effect of fiber arrangement uniformity on the fracture process was discussed from the mesomechanical viewpoint.