FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL
A composite material is disclosed that includes a matrix binder material and a plurality of elongated fiber strands. The strands have a longitudinally extending central portion having two or more lobes extending radially from the central portion and disposed longitudinally along the strand.
1 . A composite material, comprising:
a matrix binder material;
a plurality of elongated fiber strands, the strands comprising a longitudinally extending central portion having two or more lobes extending radially from the central portion and disposed longitudinally along the strand.
2 . The composite material of claim 2 , wherein the lobes comprise a radially-extending portion and a cap portion.
3 . The composite material of claim 3 , wherein a radial cross-section of the lobes is T-shaped.
4 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending central portion has at least three lobes disposed thereon.
5 . The composite material of claim 4 , wherein the longitudinally extending central portion has four lobes disposed thereon.
6 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending central portion has four lobes disposed thereon.
7 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the Young's modulus of the reinforcement to the Young's modulus of the matrix binder ranges from 8:1 to 12:1.
8 . The composite material of claim 6 , wherein the ratio of the Young's modulus of the reinforcement to the Young's modulus of the matrix binder is about 10:1.
9 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the fibers are dispersed in the matrix binder.
10 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the fibers are in a woven or non-woven mat disposed in the matrix binder.
11 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the binder is a polymer binder.
12 . The composite material of claim 11 , wherein the polymer binder is an acrylic, a polycarbonate, a nylon, or a polyester.
13 . The composite material of claim 12 , wherein the fibers are glass or ceramic.
14 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the fibers have a diameter of from 5 μm to 1000 μm.
15 . The composite material of claim 14 , wherein the fibers have a diameter of from 50 μm to 250 μm.
16 . The composite material of claim 14 , wherein the fibers have a length:diameter aspect ratio of at least 1:1.
17 . The composite material of claim 15 wherein the fibers have a length:diameter aspect ratio of 1:1 to 10:1.
18 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of fibers to binder is from 5:100 to 60:100.
19 . The composite material of claim 18 , wherein the weight ratio of fibers to binder is from 10:100 to 40:100.