Effects of triangle-shape fiber on the transverse mechanical properties of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastics

In this paper, the transverse mechanical properties of triangle-shape carbon fiber reinforced plastic (TCFRP) were studied by numerical micromechanical approach, compared with the traditional round-shape carbon fiber reinforced plastic (RCFRP), to reveal the effect of triangle-shape fiber on the transverse mechanical properties of CFRP and its intrinsic mechanisms. The simulation results indicate the fiber shape can affect both the microscopic deformation and damage behavior of the composites. The triangle-shape fibers provide more restriction to the deformation of matrix than round-shape fibers do, resulting in higher stiffness of the composites; the triangle-shape fiber can improve both the transverse tension and compression strength of the composites with respect to round-shape fiber. These numerical findings are backed by experimental results. Thus, with both good wave-absorbing performance, and excellent mechanical properties that are as good as or even better than RCFRPs, the TCFRPs can serve as very promising structural and functional materials. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.