RIBBON REINFORCEMENT OF COMPOSITES

A clear demonstration of the potential of ribbon shaped rein forcements in composite materials applications is presented. From a micromechanics analysis, supported by experimental results, we find that ribbon reinforcement offers superior stiffness properties in the plane of the lamina. The macromechanics analysis intro duces the concept of a hybrid composite in which the engineer may combine the outstanding strength properties of fibers with the superior stiffness properties offered by ribbon reinforcements. It is pointed out that the low strength observed for glass-ribbon com posites is a consequence of fabrication procedures and does not correspond to the theoretical limiting strength of ribbon rein forcements. © 1968, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.