IMPROVED MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES IN HYDRODYNAMICALLY ALIGNED, SHORT-FIBER COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

A hydrodynamic method has been employed to align short, reinforcing fi bers in polymer matrix composite materials. Samples of composite mater ials were prepared and tested two at a time (one with randomly oriente d fibers and the other with aligned fibers) to isolate and directly me asure the effect on mechanical properties of aligning the fibers. Data were collected on the ultimate tensile strength, modulus of elasticit y, and ultimate tensile strain of the composite samples prepared. The results show that the aligned fibers were approximately twice as effec tive as randomly oriented fibers at stiffening and strengthening the c omposite in the alignment direction.