1st Slide

This definition points to three special features of composites as

given below
(i) They are made of dissimilar constituents.
(ii) They are made either to get improved properties or to design
a material of properties that the designer wants.
(iii) The new composite material created is a material by its own,
different from constituents with its own characteristics and
properties.

2nd Slide
The matrix system in a composite material is the material system
that receives the inserts that reinforces or that serves as functional
or non functional fillers.

2.1 Functions of the matrix system

The functions of the matrix in a composite material can be given as

follows;

(i) To bind all ingredients of the composites into a single

entity. It is the polymers, metals or ceramics used that are
the primary bonding medium.
(ii) Matrix protects the reinforcements from the environments
and their effects.
(iii) The matrix provides colour, finish and texture to the
products.
(iv) Matrix helps to carry load in directions other than the
direction of fibres.
(v) The matrix transfers load from one reinforcement to the
 other adjacent fibres.

6th Slide

Glass is melted and drawn into fibres of about 15 micron size which
is about one-fifth the size of human hair. At this size, glass fibre
can have strength about 8 to 10 times the yield strength of steel. In
one type of application, the glass fibre is chopped and sprayed in a
random fashion to make a mat like structure as seen in the picture
below that serves as the reinforcement layer which is to be
embedded in the matrix resin

10th Slide
Additives

Additives are reactive and non-reactive chemicals added to the

matrix. Reactive chemicals are those chemicals that undergo some
form of reaction with the binding medium either for its solidification
process or to alter its functional properties. Non-reactive additives
are inert chemicals added which may help to improve the properties
of composites. The additive may be in powder or liquid form.
Generally, the percentage of additives will be less than 5%. There
are three kinds of additives.

(i) Additives like catalysts, accelerators or promoters used for

the polymerization reactions.
(ii) Additives that are used for aiding the processing without
initiating any chemical reaction. Example: Air releaser,
thixotropic agents and chemical thickeners.
(iii) Additives that help to modify the physical. Chemical and
 mechanical properties. Example: Fire retardants,
U.V.Stabilisers, antistatic and scratch resistant fillers.

11th Slide
Classification based on material structure

Materials derive their properties not only from the constituents

(atoms, molecules or materials), but also from the way the
constituents are structured. This can be understood from the
properties of diamond and graphite. Both are made of carbon
atoms. Diamond has each of its carbon atom attached to four
carbon atoms and is the hardest substance that is used for cutting
and grinding materials. Graphite, on the other hand, has the
carbon atoms configured in planar form. It is a brittle soft self
lubricating material. These two diametrically opposite properties
result from the structuring of the carbon atoms.
Carbon fibre which is the fibre used for composites is made by
orienting the graphite platelets. Composites made from same

Fibre and matrix also can be structured differently by varying the

ratios and by packing and orienting the fibres to give different
properties in different directions.

Materials can be combined to make composites in two different

ways
(i) Inserting materials like fibre, flake or particulates into
the matrix material. This type of composition is called
 phase composition.
(ii) By layer by layer bonding of materials. This type of
composition is called layered composition.

Fig.1 schematically shows the two types of composition. The

individual layers or plies of layered composites can be of phase
composition.

Depending upon whether the insert is a fibre, flake or particles,

composites can be called fibrous, flake and particulate composites.
Among them, since the fibres strengthen the matrix, the fibrous
composites are generally classified as reinforced composites. Flakes
and particles do not add to the strength, composites with flakes
and particles are called filled composites.

Fig 1 Types of composite material structure

Layered composites are of two types, namely laminates and
sandwiches. Laminates are made by bonding several plies or layers
into a solid structure. Sandwich is a special form of layered
construction in which two relatively thin and mechanically
superior skins are separated by a relatively weak and light weight
core material. This construction enhances the strength and
flexural rigidity without increasing the weight.

The fibrous composites depending upon the fibre orientation can

be grouped as follows

(i) Uni-axially oriented fibre composites: All the fibres are

oriented in one direction as in pultruded sections. They
give high fibre content and high strength in the direction
of fibre. It is weak in the transverse direction.
(ii) Bi-axially oriented fibre composites: The fibres are
oriented in two directions. They can be made by weaving
or by knitting.
(iii) Knitted, braided, and cross-stitched 2D and 3D fibre
composites
(iv) Random 2D and 3D composites: The 2D random mat
when used as reinforcement gives equal mechanical
properties in all directions in the plane of randomness.
Likewise, 3D random fibre orientation gives equal
properties in all the directions.