Background:
Short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites have many advantages such as
high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, low cost, short fabrication time and easy manufacturing.
Researches on the mechanical performance of the composites are mainly carried out by means
of experimental techniques and numerical calculation.
Objective:
The study aims to report the latest progress in the studies of mechanical properties of short
carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites.
Methods:
Based on recently published patents and journal papers, the experimental studies of short
carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites are reviewed and the effects of short carbon fibre on the
mechanical properties of the composites are discussed. Numerical studies using representative volume
element in simulating macroscopic mechanical properties of the short fibre reinforced composites are
also reviewed. Finally, future research of short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites is proposed.
Results:
Experimental techniques, experimental results and numerical simulating methods are
discussed.
Conclusion:
Mechanical properties of epoxy can be improved by adding short carbon fibres. Fiber surface
treatment and matrix modification are effective in enhancing interfacial adhesion between fiber
and matrix, and as a result, better mechanical performance is achieved. Compared to the studies on
equivalent mechanical properties of the composites, researches on the micro-mechanism of interaction
between fiber and matrix are still in infancy due to the complexity of both the internal structure and
reinforcing mechanism.
