Polymer-matrix composites are materials in which a continuous polymer phase binds and protects a load-bearing reinforcement, usually a fibre or a platelet. The matrix transfers load to the reinforcement through the interface, so the composite stiffness can be predicted from the fibre volume fraction while the strength depends on the interfacial shear strength [1]. Glass fibre dominates by volume because of its cost, and carbon fibre dominates where specific stiffness and fatigue resistance matter more [2]. Continuous-fibre laminates are laid up in a chosen sequence, and the ply angles determine whether the laminate is quasi-isotropic or strongly directional [3]. Short-fibre and particulate composites are easier to mould but give a lower and more variable reinforcement, because the fibre length in the part is set by the processing [4]. The main limitations are the low interlaminar strength, the difficulty of repairing or recycling a thermoset matrix, and the sensitivity of the properties to voids [5].
- fibre reinforcement
- interfacial shear strength
- laminate
- ply orientation
- voids
- anisotropy
- interlaminar strength
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites·Mechanical Engineering·Engineering·Physical Sciences
References
- Naveen, P.; Dharma Raju, T. Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Coconut Coir Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites. Journal of Nano Research 2013, 24, 34-45. [CrossRef]
- Sahoo, S.K.; Mohanty, S.; Nayak, S.K. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and interfacial properties of sisal fiber‐reinforced composite with epoxidized soybean oil‐based epoxy matrix. Polymer Composites 2018, 39, 2065-2072. [CrossRef]
- Yang, Z.; Gu, Y.; Shi, Y.; Zhou, X.; Li, Y. Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Phthalonitrile Resin Matrix Composites at Elevated Temperature via Cyano‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide. Polymer Composites 2026, 47, 16708-16725. [CrossRef]
- Noman, M.T.; Amor, N.; Azeem, M.; Hussain, F. Fiber–Matrix Interface Engineering in Polymer Composites: Linking Surface Chemistry to Multiscale Mechanical Performance. Polymers 2026, 18, 1842. [CrossRef]
- Wang, D.; Hu, S.; Vecernik, J.; Kremenakova, D.; Militky, J.; Novotna, J. Impact of different matrix systems on mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix composites. Polymer Composites 2024, 45, 12225-12237. [CrossRef]