Composite Material Defined

A materials system composed of two or more physically

distinct phases whose combination produces
aggregate properties that are different from those of
its constituents
Examples:
Cemented carbides (WC with Co binder)
Plastic molding compounds containing fillers
Rubber mixed with carbon black
Wood (a natural composite as distinguished from
a synthesized composite)
Properties of composite materials
In selecting a composite material, an optimum
combination of properties is usually sought, rather
than one particular property
Example: fuselage and wings of an aircraft must
be lightweight and be strong, stiff, and tough
Several fiber reinforced polymers possess this
combination of properties
Example: natural rubber alone is relatively weak
Adding significant amounts of carbon black to
NR increases its strength dramatically

Types/categories of composites materials
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) - mixtures of
ceramics and metals, such as cemented carbides
and other cermets
Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) - Al2O3 and SiC
imbedded with fibers to improve properties,
especially in high temperature applications
The least common composite matrix
Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) - thermosetting
resins are widely used in PMCs
Examples: epoxy and polyester with fiber
reinforcement, and phenolic with powders
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Nearly all composite materials consist of two
phases:
1. Primary phase - forms the matrix within which the
secondary phase is imbedded
2. Secondary phase - imbedded phase sometimes
referred to as a reinforcing agent, because it
usually serves to strengthen the composite
The reinforcing phase may be in the form of
fibers, particles, or various other geometries
Compositions
Advantages of Composite Materials
- Lightweight (low density, high strength, super high
strength-to-weight ratio)
- Corrosion resistant
- Able to reduce part count and assembly by molding
complex parts that would require sub assemblies if
done in metal.
- Optimizable to further reduce the weight because
properties can be tailored by varying the fiber type
and their orientation.
- Aan be made transparent to radio frequency
(antennas, radomes)

Disadvantages of composites materials
Properties of many important composites are
anisotropic - the properties differ depending on the
direction in which they are measured this may be
an advantage or a disadvantage
Many of the polymer based composites are subject to
attack by chemicals or solvents, just as the polymers
themselves are susceptible to attack
Composite materials are generally expensive
Manufacturing methods for shaping composite
materials are often slow and costly

2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Possible physical shapes of imbedded phases in
composite materials: (a) fiber, (b) particle, and (c)
flake
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Fiber orientation in composite
materials:
(a) one-dimensional, continuous
fibers; (b) planar, continuous
fibers in the form of a woven
fabric; and (c) random,
discontinuous fibers
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Materials for Fibers
Fiber materials in fiber-reinforced composites:
Glass most widely used filament
Carbon high elastic modulus
Boron very high elastic modulus
Polymers - Kevlar
Ceramics SiC and Al
2
O
3

Metals - steel
The most important commercial use of fibers is in
polymer composites
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Properties are Determined by
Three Factors:
1. The materials used as component phases in the
composite
2. The geometric shapes of the constituents and
resulting structure of the composite system
3. The manner in which the phases interact with one
another
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Composites materials Properties
High strength-to-weight and modulus-to-weight ratios
Low specific gravity - a typical FRP weighs only
about 1/5 as much as steel; yet, strength and
modulus are comparable in fiber direction
Good fatigue strength
Good corrosion resistance, although polymers are
soluble in various chemicals
Low thermal expansion - for many FRPs, leading to
good dimensional stability
Significant anisotropy in properties
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Applications
Aerospace much of the structural weight of todays
airplanes and helicopters consist of advanced FRPs
Automotive somebody panels for cars and truck
cabs
Continued use of low-carbon sheet steel in cars is
evidence of its low cost and ease of processing
Sports and recreation
Fiberglass reinforced plastic has been used for
boat hulls since the 1940s
Fishing rods, tennis rackets, golf club shafts,
helmets, skis, bows and arrows.
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
Composite materials in the Boeing 757
(courtesy of Boeing Commercial Airplane Group)
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e
USAGE OF COMPOSITES MATERIALS

Composites materials can be apply in the following
materials.
1. Reinforcing fillers used to strengthen or
improve mechanical properties
Examples: wood flour in phenolic and amino
resins; and carbon black in rubber
2. Extenders used to increase bulk and reduce
cost per unit weight, but little or no effect on
mechanical properties