Introduction to Materials

Composites

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 Classification

 Modern technologies require materials with unusual combinations

that cannot be met by conventional materials.
 Composites can be classified as:
 Ceramic-Metal
 Ceramic- Polymer
 Metal-Polymer composites
 Or it can be classified as:
 Particle Reinforced
 Fiber Reinforced composites

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 Composites are composed of two phases:
 Matrix
 Reinforcement

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 Particle Reinforced Composites
 The addition of the particulate, affect the elastic modulus.
 The upper bound formula:
EC=EmVm+EPVP
where ;
 EC is the elastic modulus of the composite.
 Em is the elastic modulus of the matrix.
 EP is the elastic modulus of the particulate.

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 Particle Reinforced Composites
 WC-Co composites
 TiC-Co or TiC-Ni composites
 Concrete
 Rubber+Carbon Black
 Cu+Graphite

Dispersion strengthened:
 W-ThO2
 Cu-Al2O3

Fig.8.2. A Schematic view of a

WC-Co particulate composite

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 Can you see the DIAMOND Particles?
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 Fiber Reinforced Composites
 More stiffness at a definite direction can be obtained.
 The mechanical characteristics of the fiber reinforced composites
depends on:
 The strength of the fiber
 The bond strength between the fiber and the matrix

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 Fiber Reinforced Composites

Fig.8.3. The deformation pattern of a fiber in the matrix.

(The effect of fiber-matrix bond strength.)

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 Fiber Reinforced Composites
 The fiber-matrix interface transmits the load between fiber and the
matrix.
 The end of the fibers are free sufaces. As a result, the amount of
load transmission ceases (Fig.8.3).
 This means that a critical fibre length is needed for effective
strengthening.

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 Fiber Reinforced Composites

 If a fiber reinforced composite is loaded in the direction of fiber

alignment:
 ECl=EmVm+EfVf
Where
ECl=Elastic modulus of the fiber reinforced composite
Em=Elastic modulus of the matrix
Vm=Volume fraction of the matrix
Ef=Elastic modulus of the fibers
Vf=Volume fraction of the fibers

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 Fiber Reinforced Composites
 The matrix materials can be:
 Epoxy
 Polyester
 Vinyl ester
 Nylon
 The fibres can be:
 Glass Fibers
 Carbon fibers
 SiC fiber or whiskers
 Aramid (a type of polymer)

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 Fiber Reinforced Composites

Table.11.1. Characteristics of several fiber reinforcement

materials.

Specific Tensile Strength Modulus of Elasticity Specific Modulus

Gravity (GPa) (GPa) (GPa)
E-Glass 2,58 3,45 72,5 28
Carbon 1,90 4,8 724 407
SiC 3,0 3,9 400 133,0
Aramid 1,44 4,1 131 91,0
UHMWPE 0,97 2,6 117 121
High
Strength 7,9 2,39 210 26,6
Steel

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 Fiber Reinforced Composites

Table.11.2. Characteristics of Epoxy matrix fiber reinforced

composites.

E-Glass Carbon Aramid (Kevlar 49)

Specific Gravity 2.1 1.6 1.4
Trensile Strength (MPa)

Longitudinal 1020 1249 1380

Transverse 40 41 30
Ultimate Tensile Strain 2.3 0.9 1.8

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 Fig.8.4 (a) Unidirectional and (b) Bidirectional orientation
of fibers in a fiber reinforced composite.

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 As a conclusive remark
 Fiber size and orientation defines the strength of the composite.
 Matrix fiber interface is important in terms of the composite
performance.

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