2.2 Fibers
The primary role of the fiber is to resist the major portion of the load acting on the
composite system. Depending on the matrix type and fiber configuration, the fiber
volume fraction ranges from 30 to 75%. Strength and stiffness properties of
commercially available fibers cover a large spectrum and consequently, the properties of
the resulting composite have a considerable variation (Mallick, 1993). Typical fiber
reinforcements used in the composite industry are glass (E- and S-glass), carbon, and
aramid (Kevlar®). The properties and characteristics of these fibers as well as other fiber
types such as basalt are presented in the subsequent sections.