Multi-material yarn structures

Novel braided yarn constructions for improved bond formation of non-metallic concrete reinforcements. Textile or non-metallic reinforcements are considered a promising alternative to conventional steel reinforcement. While ribbed steel bars transfer loads into concrete through mechanical interlocking, impregnated smooth carbon filament yarns rely predominantly on adhesion. This limits bond strength and hinders the efficient utilization of their mechanical performance.

The recycling of carbon fiber (rCF) is critical for sustainable manufacturing in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods. Recently, thermoplastic composites have been developed using rCF hybrid yarn structures, where rCF serves as the reinforcing fiber and thermoplastic support fibers (e.g., PA 6 staple fibers) act as the matrix, blended in a 50/50 volume ratio using modified short staple fiber technology.

This study aims to establish a comprehensive methodology for determining the microstructural properties of hybrid yarns used in composite materials. By developing accurate models of hybrid yarns and composites based on detailed microstructural information such as fibre orientation, fibre diameter and distribution, this approach lays the foundation for future advances.