ABYC Composites Practice Exam

To calculate the fiber-to-resin ratio of a laminate, dividing the weight of the fiber by the total weight of the laminate is the most accurate method. This approach effectively assesses the proportionality of the fiber content in relation to the overall mass of the laminate, which includes both fiber and resin.

Understanding the fiber-to-resin ratio is crucial because it directly affects the mechanical properties of the laminate, such as strength, stiffness, and durability. A higher fiber ratio typically indicates enhanced strength and stiffness due to the reinforcing qualities of the fibers, whereas a lower ratio may suggest a more flexible and potentially less durable laminate.

The other methods presented do not yield an accurate fiber-to-resin ratio. Subtracting the resin weight from the total weight only provides the fiber weight, but does not express this as a ratio. Adding the weights of fiber and resin together does not contribute toward determining the ratio and instead provides overall laminate weight. The calculation of air to material weight is unrelated to fiber and resin content and would not assist in determining the quality or characteristics of the composite material.