Optically transparent continuous glass fibre-reinforced epoxy matrix composite: fabrication, optical and mechanical properties

Abstract Unidirectionally aligned continuous glass fibre-reinforced epoxy matrix composites have been fabricated using specially prepared glass fibres with three diameters of 18, 37, and 50 μm. The fibre volume fraction is from 0.25 to 0.45. The microstructure, light transmittance and mechanical properties of the composites are evaluated. Optically transparent composites are successfully fabricated and 60–85% of the light transmittance of the epoxy matrix in a wavelength range from 600 to 1100 nm is obtained. The light transmittance of the composite decrease with increasing the fibre volume fraction and decreasing the fibre diameter, respectively. The longitudinal Young's modulus and tensile strength of the composite increase with an increase of the fibre volume fraction, i.e., the opposite tendency to the light transmittance. Possible range of the combination between the light transmittance and the mechanical performances of the composites is demonstrated.