Effect of Fiber Volume Fraction on the Flexural Properties of Unidirectional Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites

In this study, the effect of fiber content on the flexural property of continuous carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated. Samples with four different fiber volume fractions, 50, 60, 70, and 80 vol.%, were fabricated. For comparisons, cast epoxy resin was also prepared. It was observed that the flexural strength and modulus of this material are enhanced with increasing fiber volume fractions in the range of 50-70 vol.%. Results show that the carbon fiber/epoxy composites possess the largest fracture force and displacement when the fiber volume fraction is 70 vol.%, which is mainly attributed to the effective stress transfer of fibers. This can restrict crack tip propagation and blunt the crack tip, then consume abundant deformation energy and result in an increase of fracture work. On the other hand, poor flexural property was observed when the sample with high fiber volume fraction (80 vol.%) was tested. Three different types of failure modes were observed according to the fiber content.