Influence of fibre content on mechanical properties of C(f)/PMMA–PMA composites

In order to improve the mechanical properties of the carbon fibre reinforced polymethyl methacrylate–polymethyl acrylate (PMMA–PMA) composites [C(f)/PMMA–PMA], the effects of fibre mass fraction on the flexural strength and compressive strength of the composites were particularly investigated. Results show that with the increasing carbon fibre mass fraction, the flexural strength and compressive strength of C(f)/PMMA–PMA composites increase to the maximum and then decreases. When the fibre mass fraction reaches 1·5%, the flexural strength and compressive strength of samples reach the maximum, 110·3 and 239·3 MPa. The deflection of C(f)/PMMA–PMA composites increases with increasing carbon fibre mass fraction. Correspondingly, the microstructure of the fractured surfaces changes from smooth to crepe like, showing the improvement in toughness of the composites.