The relation between mechanical properties of reinforcing fibres and those of composite materials was studied using PAN based carbon fibres of various tensile strengths and tensile moduli of elasticity. The carbon fibres used in the examination were six kinds of fibres of which tensile strengths were in a range of 2, 400 MPa to 5, 600 MPa and tensile moduli of 240 GPa to 460 GPa. Epoxy resin systems of 177°C and 121°C curing type were used as matrices.In the present paper 0°(longitudinal) and 90°(transverse) tensile properties for unidirectional composites are discussed. 0°tensile moduli and 0°tensile strengths are in proportion to those of the fibres, respectively, and can be explained well by a rule of mixture. Properties of the matrix resins have an influence in some extent on 0°tensile strength. 90°tensile moduli of CFRP have a tendency to lower slightly with increasing rigidity of the fibre. 90°tensile strengths of carbonized-fibre composites are higher than those of graphitized-fibre composites. In the latter, fibre to resin bonding is not so good that the 90°tensile strength is subjected to strength of the bonding.
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