COMPOSITES

The following definition is adopted: Any multiphase material

that is artificially made and exhibits a significant proportion of
the properties of the constituent phases.
The constituent phases of a composite are usually of macro
sized portions, differ in form and chemical composition and
essentially insoluble in each other.

Many composite materials are composed of just two phases;

one is termed the matrix, which is continuous and surrounds
the other phase, often called the dispersed phase.

DISPERSION STRENGHTENED

In this composite, particles are of 0.01-0.1m in size.

Particlematrix interactions that lead to strengthening occur on
the atomic or molecular level. Strengthening occurs as a result
of dislocation motion hindrance.
Matrix bears the major portion of the applied load, while
dispersoids obstruct the motion of dislocations.
E.g.:thoria (ThO2) dispersed Ni-alloys (TDNi-alloys) with hightemperature strength; SAP(sintered aluminium powder)where
aluminium matrix is dispersed with extremely small flakes of
alumina(Al2O3).

LARGE

PARTICLE REINFORCED
The term large is used to indicate that particlematrix
interactions cannot be treated on the atomic or molecular
level; rather, continuum mechanics is used.
For most of these composites, the particulate phase is harder
and stiffer than the matrix.
The matrix transfers some of the applied stress to the
particles, which bear a fraction of the load.
Two mathematical expressions have been formulated for the
dependence of the elastic modulus on the volume fraction of
the constituent phases for a two-phase composite.
RULE OF MIXTURES
These rule of mixtures equations predict that the elastic
modulus should fall between an upper bound represented by
And a lower bound represented by

E - elastic modulus ; V - volume fraction,

The subscripts c, m, and p represent composite, matrix, and
particulate phases

 Particulate composites are usually made of all three

conventional engineering materials, namelymetals, polymers
and ceramics
E.g.: Tungsten carbide (WC) or titanium carbide (TiC)
embedded cobalt or nickel based cutting tools.
Aluminum alloy castings containing dispersed SiC particles are
widely used for automotive applications including pistons and
brake applications.
Portland cement concrete where gravel and sand are
particulates while the cement with water acts as binding
matrix.

FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITES

These composite constituents are, usually, soft matrix
embedded with harder fibers.
Matrix serves as medium to transfer applied load to fibers,
which carry most of the applied load. It also protects fibers
from external environment.
Fibers are either continuous or discontinuous. Continuous
fibers provide best efficiency, however discontinuous fibers are
used when manufacturing economics dictate the use of a
process where the fibers must be in this form.
Properties of these composites depend on many parameters:
properties of matrix and fibers, fiber length and volume
fraction, their orientation, and interface bond strength.

EFFECT OF FIBRE LENGTH

Some critical length (lc) is necessary for effective strengthening
and stiffening of the composite material,

*f ultimate/tensile strength of the fiber; d diameter of the

fiber, c interface bond strength or the shear yield strength of
the matrix, whichever is smaller.

 Fibers for which l >>lc (normally l >15lc) are termed as

continuous; discontinuous or short fibers on the other hand
have lengths shorter than this.
EFFECT OF FIBRE ORIENTATION AND LENGHT
For continuous fiber composites under longitudinal loading
conditions: assuming isostrain conditions, i.e deformation on
both is the same:
Fc =F m

+ Ff

c A c = m A m + f A f
c = m

Am
A
+ f f
Ac
Ac

If lengths of matrix and fiber are equal and equal to composite

length, area fraction = vol. fraction.
Isostrain therefore:

c = m V m + f V f

c = m = f
c m

= V m+ f V f
c m
f

Ecl =Em V m +E f V f

Or
1V
( f )+ E f V f
E cl=E m

Also
Ff Ef V f
=
F m Em V m

For continuous fiber composites under transverse loading

conditions: assuming isostress conditions
c = m= f =

Also
c = m V m + f V f

= V m+ V f
E cl Em
Ef
1 Vm Vf
= +
E cl Em E f
Ecl =

Em Ef
V m E m+ V f E f

Or
1V
( f ) Em +V f E f
E E
E cl= m f

Longitudinal Tensile Strength

'

cl = m (1V f )+ f V f
'

- stress in the matrix at fiberfailure

-fiber tensile strength

Discontinuous and aligned fiber composites:

Even though reinforcement efficiency is lower for discontinuous
fiber composites than continuous fiber composites,
discontinuous and aligned fiber composites are commercially
gaining an important place. The longitudinal strength of these
composites is given by:

cd = f V f (1

cd' =

lc
)+ 'm ( 1V f ) when l > l c
2l

l c
V f + ' m ( 1V f ) whenl<l c
d

where

smaller of either the fiber-matrix bond strength or

the matrix shear yield strength

Discontinuous and randomly orientated fiber composites:
Reinforcement efficiency of these fiber composites is difficult to
calculate, and is usually characterized by a parameter known
as fiber efficiency parameter, K. K depends on
Ef

Em

Vf

and the

ratio. If rule-of-mixtures can be applied, elastic

modulus of these composites is given by:

Ecl =K (Em V m + E f V f )

On the basis of diameter and character, fibers are grouped into

three different classifications: whiskers, fibers, and wires.
Whiskers are very thin single crystals that have extremely
large length-to-diameter ratios. As a consequence of their
small size, they have a high degree of crystalline perfection
and are virtually flaw free, which accounts for their
exceptionally high strengths;
Whiskers are not utilized extensively as a reinforcement
medium because they are extremely expensive. Moreover, it is
difficult and often impractical to incorporate whiskers into a
matrix.
Materials that are classified as fibers are either polycrystalline
or amorphous and have small diameters; fibrous materials are
generally either polymers or ceramics
Fine wires have relatively large diameters; typical materials
include steel, molybdenum, and tungsten.Wires are utilized as
a radial steel reinforcement in automobile tires, in filamentwound rocket casings, and in wire-wound high-pressure hoses.