Elastic Properties of Fibrous Composite Materials

Abstract

The study evaluates various mechanical properties of composite materials, such as modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, and elongation at break, using tensile, compression, and bending tests. It also investigates vibration damping capacity and water absorption/loss. Composite laminates comprise multiple layers engineered to achieve specific mechanical characteristics, including in-plane stiffness and thermal expansion coefficients. Understanding these properties is essential for assessing a material’s suitability for different applications. The paper identifies two main failure mechanisms during low-velocity impact (LVI): intralaminar damage, which occurs within the composite layers (e.g., fiber and matrix failures), and interlaminar damage, notably delamination. The properties of composites are influenced by several factors, including the characteristics of constituent materials (including additives), fiber length, orientation, cross-sectional shape, fiber distribution, and the volume fractions of the fiber and matrix materials.