Home › GATE ME › Mechanical Engineering › composites › Why must fibers in a fiber-reinforced composite …
Why must fibers in a fiber-reinforced composite be SUPPORTED by the matrix?
A{'text': 'To improve electrical conductivity', 'label': 'C'}
B{'text': 'Fibers have very high tensile strength but bend/buckle easily when pushed axially — the matrix prevents buckling and transfers shear between fibers', 'label': 'B'}
C{'text': 'To increase weight', 'label': 'D'}
D{'text': 'To prevent corrosion', 'label': 'A'}
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. {'text': 'Fibers have very high tensile strength but bend/buckle easily when pushed axially — the matrix prevents buckling and transfers shear between fibers', 'label': 'B'}
Fibers are slender (high length-to-diameter), so axial compression causes Euler buckling at very low loads. The matrix surrounds and laterally supports each fiber, preventing buckling and distributing load between fibers via shear.
Related questions
Why are continuous-fiber composites often described as having "near-zero" ductility comparThe fundamental MOTIVATION for using composites in spacecraft and aircraft is:Examples of MATRIX MATERIALS commonly used in PMCs include:What is the principal advantage of carbon-carbon composites over metal alloys for high-temIn a fiber-reinforced composite, ANISOTROPY (direction-dependent properties) is MAXIMUM whMICROSPHERES (hollow glass spheres) used as filler in composites primarily improve:Directionally-solidified eutectic composites are produced by:In a unidirectional continuous-fiber composite under tension PARALLEL to fibers, the longi