A broad definition of composite is: Two or more chemically distinct materials which when combined have improved properties

over the individual materials. Composites could be natural or synthetic. Wood is a good example of a natural composite, combination of cellulose fiber and lignin. The cellulose fiber provides strength and the lignin is the "glue" that bonds and stabilizes the fiber.

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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.

Components of composite materials Reinforcement: fibers

Glass Carbon Organic Boron Ceramic Metallic

Matrix materials
Polymers Metals Ceramics

Interface
Bonding surface

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2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning is a trademark used herein under license.

(a) A hexagonal cell honeycomb core, (b) can be joined to two face sheets by means of adhesive sheets, (c) producing an exceptionally lightweight yet stiff, strong honeycomb sandwich structure. 4 4/28/2014

Composites

Particle-reinforced

Fiber-reinforced

Structural

Largeparticle

Dispersionstrengthened

Continuous (aligned)

Discontinuous (short)

Laminates

Sandwich panels

Aligned

Randomly oriented

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Particle reinforced composites are equiaxed, means their particle dimensions are approximately the same in all directions.
They are further classified in two categories, Large particle and Dispersion strengthened composites.

Matrix materials are usually thermoplastics or thermosets; polyester, epoxy (80% of reinforced plastics), fluorocarbon, silicon, phenolic.
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 Particle matrix interaction are not treated at molecular level, rather continuum mechanics is used The particulate phase is harder and stiffer than matrix. Tend to restrain movement of matrix phase in the vicinity of each particle. Volume fraction of the two phase influences the mechanical properties. Elastic modulus should fall between: Ec(u) = Em Vm + Ep Vp and Ee(l) = Em Ep / (Vm Ep + Vp Em)

Examples: Concrete cement(matrix) and sand(particulate).

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 Particles are normally smaller , with diameters between 0.01m and 0.1m. Particle matrix interaction occur at atomic or molecular level. Mechanism is similar to precipitation hardening. Matrix bears the major portion of the applied load. The small dispersed particle hinders the motion of dislocation and thus plastic deformation is restricted which in turn improves the yield, tensile strength and hardness. The dispersed phase may be metallic or non-metallic.

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 l = lc : maximum load is achieved at axial center. As fiber length increases reinforcement become more effective.

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(a) Continuous & Aligned

(b) Discontinuous & Aligned (c) Discontinuous & Random

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(a) Stress-Strain curve for brittle fiber matrix.

(b) Stress-Strain curve for ductile fiber matrix.

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