Comparison of mechanical performance and fracture behavior of gelatin composites reinforced with carbon fibers of different fiber architectures

Gelatin-based composites reinforced, respectively, with continuous carbon f ibers, short carbon fibers, plain woven carbon fibers, and carbon fiber fel t were investigated. Tensile and shear strengths, and their changes with fi ber volume fraction (V-f) of these four composites were compared. It was de monstrated that at all fiber levels, the composite containing continuous ca rbon fibers showed the largest strength, while the composite reinforced wit h carbon fiber felt exhibited the lowest. strength of the four composites. The above results were analyzed by comparing the fracture surfaces of tile four composites. SEM confirmed the great differences in fracture surfaces f or composites of different fiber architectures. The presence of a large num ber of pores in the C-F/Gel composite was responsible for its lowest streng th, and cracks within fiber tows caused the lower strength of the C-W/Gel c omposite when compared to its C-L/Gel counterpart. It was suggested that fi ber architecture exerted a great effect on composite performance and the ef fect was dependent on the nature of the matrix material.