This graphic shows an unconventional approach to making widely used composite materials stronger and tougher. Thermoplastic fibers are deposited like cobwebs on top of rigid fibers to chemically form ...

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites, or CFRPs, have excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, high stiffness, and the potential to bear dynamic loading in service ...

A carbon fiber is prepared for mounting in a device to test its adhesion to a polymer matrix. ORNL researchers are using polymer nanofibers to increase the adhesion, and thus the performance, of ...

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are made by reinforcing a polymer-based matrix with glass, carbon, or aramid fibers. PMCs are classified into thermosetting and thermoplastic resins based on the type ...