Properties

Property Aramid Carbon Glass
High Tensile Strength Good Excellent Good
High Tensile Modulus Good Excellent Poor
High Compressive Strength Poor Excellent Good
High Compressive Modulus Good Excellent Poor
High Flexural Strength Poor Excellent Good
High Flexural Modulus Good Excellent Poor
High Impact Strength Excellent Poor Good
High Interlaminar Shear Strength Good Excellent Excellent
High In-plane Shear Strength Good Excellent Excellent
Low Density Excellent Good Poor
High Fatigue Resistance Good Excellent Poor
High Fire Resistance Excellent Poor Excellent
High Thermal Insulation Excellent Poor Good
High Electrical Insulation Good Poor Excellent
Low Thermal Expansion Excellent Excellent Excellent
Low Cost Poor Poor Excellent

Summary Descriptions

Aramid

High strength, good impact, high abrasion resistance and medium stiffness.

Carbon

Very high strength in both tensile and compression, high stiffness and high resistance to corrosion, creep and fatigue. But poor impact strength.

Glass

Good compressive strength and stiffness, good tensile strength and excellent electrical insulation properties at relatively low cost.