Compressive Failure of Novel Hybrid Boron-Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composites

Effective use of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRPs) composites is critical for the aerospace, defence and sport industries. Under tension, it is usually possible for CFRP components to take advantage of the high strength of carbon fibres. However, under compression, CFRPs typically fail by a microscopic instability mechanism at loads that are significantly lower. Hybridising CFRPs with boron fibres holds the potential to delay this kink/buckling instability and hence achieve much high compressive strengths. However, little is known about the mechanism by which boron fibres may stop the compressive failure instability in CFRP. Here we will observe the failure sequence in 3D for the first time. This will enable us to model the process and help us develop optimised carbon-boron composite hybrids. Their superior compressive response will lead to lighter structures in the aerospace, defence and sport sectors.