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Mechanical Engineering
Composites
Composites are combinations of two materials in which one of the material is
called the reinforcing phase, is in the form of fibers, sheets, or particles, and
is embedded in the other material called the matrix phase.
Typically, reinforcing materials are strong with low densities while the
matrix is usually a ductile or tough material. If the composite is designed
and fabricated correctly, it combines the strength of the reinforcement with
the toughness of the matrix to achieve a combination of desirable
properties not available in any single conventional material.
Matrix materials
Interface
Polymers
Metals
Ceramics
Bonding
surface
Mechanical Engineering
Composites
The essence of the concept of composites is that the load is applied
over a large surface area of the matrix. Matrix then transfers the load
to the reinforcement, which being stiffer, increases the strength of the
composite. It is important to note that there are many matrix materials
and even more fiber types, which can be combined in countless ways
to produce just the desired properties.
In the United States, composites manufacturing is a 25 billion dollar
a year industry. There are about 6000 composites related
manufacturing plants and materials distributors across the U.S. The
industry employs more than 235,000 people. An additional 250,000
people are employed in businesses that support the composites
industry, including materials suppliers, equipment vendors, and other
support personnel.
About 90% of all composites produced are comprised of glass fiber and
either polyester or vinylester resin. Composites are broadly known as
reinforced plastics.
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
Composites
Fibers
Matrix materials
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
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Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Application of Composites
Lance Armstrongs 2-lb.
Trek bike, 2004 Tour de
France
Pedestrian bridge in
Denmark, 130 feet long
(1997)
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Advantages of Composites
Higher Specific Strength (strength-to-weight ratio)
Composites have a higher specific strength than many other materials. A
distinct advantage of composites over other materials is the ability to use
many combinations of resins and reinforcements, and therefore custom
tailor the mechanical and physical properties of a structure.
The lowest properties for each material are associated with simple manufacturing
processes and material forms (e.g. spray lay-up glass fibre), and the higher
properties are associated with higher technology manufacture (e.g. autoclave
mouldingKen
of unidirectional
glassMechanical
fibre), the aerospace
industry.
Youssefi
Engineering
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Advantages of Composites
Design flexibility
Composites have an advantage over other materials because they can be
molded into complex shapes at relatively low cost. This gives designers the
freedom to create any shape or configuration. Boats are a good example of
the success of composites.
Corrosion Resistance
Composites products provide long-term resistance to severe chemical and
temperature environments. Composites are the material of choice for
outdoor exposure, chemical handling applications, and severe environment
service.
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Advantages of Composites
Low Relative Investment
One reason the composites industry has been successful is because of
the low relative investment in setting-up a composites manufacturing
facility. This has resulted in many creative and innovative companies in
the field.
Durability
Composite products and structures have an exceedingly long life span.
Coupled with low maintenance requirements, the longevity of composites is a
benefit in critical applications. In a half-century of composites development,
well-designed composite structures have yet to wear out.
In 1947 the U.S. Coast Guard built a series of forty-foot patrol boats,
using polyester resin and glass fiber. These boats were used until the
early 1970s when they were taken out of service because the design was
outdated. Extensive testing was done on the laminates after
decommissioning, and it was found that only 2-3% of the original strength
was lost after twenty-five years of hard service.
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Application of Composites in
Aircraft Industry
Mechanical Engineering
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Disadvantages of Composites
Composites are heterogeneous
properties in composites vary from point to point in the material. Most
engineering structural materials are homogeneous.
Composites are highly anisotropic
The strength in composites vary as the direction along which we measure
changes (most engineering structural materials are isotropic). As a result,
all other properties such as, stiffness, thermal expansion, thermal and
electrical conductivity and creep resistance are also anisotropic. The
relationship between stress and strain (force and deformation) is much
more complicated than in isotropic materials.
The experience and intuition gained over the years about the behavior of
metallic materials does not apply to composite materials.
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Disadvantages of Composites
Composites materials are difficult to inspect with conventional ultrasonic,
eddy current and visual NDI methods such as radiography.
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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Disadvantages of Composites
In November 1999, Americas Cup boat Young America broke in two due
to debonding face/core in the sandwich structure.
Ken Youssefi
Mechanical Engineering
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