Mechanical Properties of Resin Reinforced Fiber-Ceramic-Fiber Composites Prepared by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding

Abstract

Ceramic-fiber composites have important applications in protection field. In this work, the stable and reliable resin reinforced fiber-ceramic-fiber (RRFCF) composites with sandwich structure were prepared by using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The mechanical properties of the prepared RRFCF composites with different configurations were studied. Results showed that the thickness values of the glassfiber-reinforced plastic layers (panel thickness: ta and backplane thickness: tc) had significant influences on the unique mechanical properties of the RRFCF composites. The stress distribution of RRFCF composites with different configurations under loading was analyzed by simulation. The fatigue behaviors of Z-type (ta < tc) and F-type (ta > tc) RRFCF composites were investigated and found to be in good agreement with the simulated results. Moreover, the flexural strength and modulus of Z-type composites were obtained and found to be higher than those of F-type composites. These results have important guiding significance for the engineering application of RRFCF composites.