Control of Mechanical Properties of FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) via Arrangement of High-Strength/High-Ductility Fiber in a Blended Fabric

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been widely investigated as a reinforcement material to address the corrosion and durability issues of reinforced concrete (RC). To improve the strain of FRP grids, we investigated the effect of single-fiber types, hybrid ratios, and stacking patterns on the strain of the composite materials. Blended fabrics in which different fibers are woven were used to further improve the strain of carbon fibers (CFs). In the blended fabrics, CFs with high tensile strength were mixed with high-strain glass fibers (GFs) or aramid fibers (AFs). Fibers with different mechanical properties were mixed to improve the strain without reducing the tensile strength of the composite materials. The fiber arrangement direction was controlled by CF/GF blended fabric. CFs are arranged in the direction parallel to the tensile load direction with no strength degradation, and GFs are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the increase in strain. Compared to the mechanical properties of the single CF composites, the fabrics obtained via an FRP mixing method proposed in this study showed an increase in the tensile strength by 7% from 568.17 to 608.34 MPa with no strength degradation and an increase in strain by 34% from 0.97% to 1.30%.