NMB 10203 MATERIALS ENGINEERING

EXERSICE 9
COMPOSITES

1) The mechanical properties of cobalt may be im- proved by incorporating fine particles of tungsten
carbide (WC). Given that the moduli of elastic- ity of these materials are, respectively, 200 GPa (30 􏱿
106 psi) and 700 GPa (102 􏱿 106 psi), plot the modulus of elasticity versus the volume percent of WC in
Co from 0 to 100 vol%, using both upper- and lower-bound expressions.

2) A large-particle composite consisting of tung- sten particles within a copper matrix is to be prepared. If
the volume fractions of tungsten and copper are 0.70 and 0.30, respectively, estimate the upper limit
for the specific stiffness of this composite, given the data that follow.

3) A continuous and aligned fiber–reinforced com- posite is to be produced consisting of 45 vol% aramid
fibers and 55 vol% polycarbonate matrix; the mechanical characteristics of these two mate- rials are as
follows:

The stress on the polycarbonate matrix when the aramid fibers fail is 35 MPa (5075 psi). For this
composite, compute the following:
(a) The longitudinal tensile strength
(b) The longitudinal modulus of elasticity

4) Is it possible to produce a continuous and oriented aramid fiber–epoxy matrix composite having
longitudinal and transverse moduli of elasticity of 35GPa and 5.17 GPa, respectively? Why or why
not? Assume that the elastic modulus of the epoxy is 3.4 GPa.

5) In an aligned and continuous carbon fiber– reinforced nylon 6,6 composite, the fibers are to carry 97%
of a load applied in the longitudinal direction.
(a) Using the data provided, determine the volume fraction of fibers required.
(b) What is the tensile strength of this composite? Assume that the matrix stress at fiber failure is 50
MPa (7250 psi).
6) It is desired to produce an aligned carbon fiber–epoxy matrix composite having a longitudinal tensile
strength of 500 MPa (72,500 psi). Calculate the volume fraction of fibers necessary if;
(1) the average fiber diameter and length are 0.01 mm (3.9 x 10􏱿-4 in.) and 0.5 mm (2 x 10-2 in.),
respectively;
(2) the fiber fracture strength is 4.0 GPa (5.8 x 105 psi);
(3) the fiber–matrix bond strength is 25 MPa (3625 psi); and
(4) the matrix stress at composite failure is 7.0 MPa (1000 psi).

7) a) What is a hybrid composite?

(b) List two important advantages of hybrid composites over normal fiber composites.

8) It is necessary to fabricate an aligned and dis- continuous glass fiber–epoxy matrix composite having a
longitudinal tensile strength of 1200 MPa (175,000 psi) using a 0.35 volume fraction of fibers. Compute
the required fiber fracture strength, assuming that the average fiber diameter and length are 0.015 mm
(5.9 x 10-4 in.) and 5.0 mm (0.20 in.), respectively. The fiber–matrix bond strength is 80 MPa (11,600
psi), and the matrix stress at composite failure is 6.55 MPa (950 psi).