Comparison of Mechanical Performance and Fracture Behavior of Gelatin Composites Reinforced With Carbon Fibers of Different Fiber Architectures

摘要

Gelatin-based composites reinforced, respectively, with continuous carbon fibers. short carbon fibers, plain woven carbon fibers, and carbon fiber felt were investi- gated. Tensile and shear strengths, and their changes with fiber volume fraction (Vf) of these four composites were compared. It was demonstrated that at all fiber levels, the composite containing continuous carbon fibers showed the largest strength, while the composite reinforced with carbon fiber felt exhibited the lowest strength of the four composites. The above results were analyzed by comparing the fracture surfaces of the four composites. SEM conftnned the great differences in fracture surfaces for composites of different fiber architectures. The presence of a large number of pores in the CF/Gel composite was responsible for its lowest strength, and cracks within fiber tows caused the lower strength of the Cw/Gel composite when compared to its CL/Gel counterpart. It was suggested that fiber architecture exerted a great effect on composite performance and the effect was dependent on the nature of the matrlx material.