Engineering ToolBox > Fibers in Polymer Composites
Mechanical properties of fibers used in polymer composites
Mechanical properties of some common fibers used in polymer composites are indicated below:
| Fiber | Tensile Strength | Tensile Modulus (Young Modulus) | Elongation
(%) | Density |
| (MPa) | 103 (psi) | GPa | 106 (psi) | (kg/m3) | (lb/in3) |
| E-Glass | 3500 | 510 | 72.5 | 10.5 | 4.9 | 2630 | 0.095 |
| S-Glass | 4600 | 670 | 88 | 12.8 | 5.5 | 2490 | 0.09 |
| AS-4 PAN-Based Carbon | 4000 | 578 | 245 | 35.5 | 1.6 | 1800 | 0.065 |
| IM-7 PAN-Based Carbon | 4900 | 710 | 317 | 46 | 1.7 | 1744 | 0.063 |
| P120 Pitch-Based Graphite | 2250 | 325 | 827 | 120 | 0.27 | 2187 | 0.079 |
| Alumina/Silica | 1950 | 280 | 297 | 43 | | 3280 | 0.12 |
| Kevlar 29 | 2860 | 410 | 64 | 9.3 | | 1440 | 0.052 |
| Kevlar 49 | 3650 | 530 | 124 | 18 | 2.5 | 1440 | 0.052 |
| Boron | 3620 | 525 | 400 | 58 | 1 | 2574 | 0.093 |
- E-glass - A low alkali borosilicate glass with good electrical and mechanical properties and good chemical resistance. The most widely used in fibers for reinforcing plastics.
- S-Glass is a stiffer/stronger version of E-glass which is also used in polymer matrix composites. S-Glass is generally used for polymer matrix composites that require improved mechanical properties compared to E-glass based composites.
- PAN-Based Carbon fibers are made of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Carbon fibers are high-strength and high-
stiffness materials used in advanced constructions like military aircrafts etc. - Alumina/Silica or trademark Saffil is produced as a fiber and was developed for thermal insulation at higher temperatures.
- Kevlar 29 is used in industrial applications such as cables, asbestos replacement, brake linings, and body armor.
- Kevlar 49 is considered to have the greatest tensile strength of all the aramids, and is used in applications such as plastic reinforcement for boat hulls, airplanes, and bikes.
