composite reinforced with fibers of high tenacita to rupture

摘要

This invention relates to fiber reinforced plastic composites, and more particularly, composites having substantially improved fracture toughness at high speed loading. In accordance with this invention, the fracture toughness of a composite is substantially improved by the use of an internal energy damping mechanism which is dependent upon the rate of loading. This energy damping mechanism comprises fibers dispersed through the composite pre-coated with a viscous fluid. Upon impact, substantial energy is dissipated at the fiber-matrix interface due to shear deformation of the coated viscous layer.