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Phone: 800-379-7864 | Fax: 860-379-6674 | email: sales@amecomposites.com

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Feature

Benefit
High Strength/Stiffness to Weight Ratio

(Graph below shows comparison between fiber reinforcements and other metals)
  • Lighter weight parts consume less energy, wear less and yield greater payloads
Fiber Uni-directionally
  • Strength is directed to where it is needed the most
  • Reinforces existing metal, plastic or wood parts
Long Continuous Compliant Fibers
  • Conformable to low cost molds for final part component consolidation
  • Reduces stress points
Fatigue Resistance
  • Reliable extended life cycles
Inert
  • Not corrosive in harsh environments
Thermal Expansion
  • Can be tailored to match surrounding structures to minimize thermal stress
Electrical Conductivity
  • Can be made to be conductive or insulating

 

Specific Strength vs Specific Modulus

(for fiberglass, aramid fiber, carbon fiber and various metals)

specific strength vs specific modulus.bmp (1899846 bytes)

Note: The term specific refers to the fiber’s strength or modulus relative to its weight

A word about fiber reinforcements-E-glass and S-glass are 2 types of fiberglass reinforcements that are used where low cost is a primary consideration and strength and stiffness is secondary.  E-glass (electrical) is the most common, while S-glass (higher strength) is made for special applications.

Kelvar 49, developed by and a trade mark of Dupont, is classified under the generic name as an aramid fiber. Kevlar is a very tough, abrasion resistant material and is used where these characteristics are the driver.

IM7, AS4 and UHM are all classified as carbon fibers in the above graph.  AS4 is one of the earlier carbon fibers produced having a specific strength and modulus (33 msi). These carbon fibers came to be known as standard modulus fibers. Later, carbon fibers where produced that had higher strength and modulus (40 msi).   They were and still are called intermediate modulus carbon fibers, hence the initials IM.  IM7 designates intermediate modulus carbon fibers with a strength of "7" x 106 psi.  UHM stands for Ultra High Modulus and typically these carbon fiber reinforcements have a modulus of 60+ msi.