A compliant, high failure strain, fibre-reinforced glass-matrix composite

It is demonstrated that a unique form of composite material can be achieved by reinforcing glass matrices with discontinuous graphite fibres. The graphite fibres were utilized in the form of a paper, purchased in large sheets, and composites were formed by hot-pressing glass-powder-impregnated paper plys. The resultant composites exhibit high strength, high fracture toughness (compared to ceramics), low density and low thermal expansion coefficient. Of particular note is the unique tensile stress -- strain curve achieved which exhibits both high strength and high failure strain. It is very non-linear shape differs markedly from that of either the unreinforced glass or a similarly reinforced epoxymatrix composite. In addition, the elastic modulus of the resultant composite, despite being reinforced with a high stiffness fibre, is lower than that of the parent matrix resulting in an unusually compliant ceramic material.