Preface

Carbon fiber composites, particularly those with polymeric matrices, have become the dominant advanced composite materials for aerospace, automobile, sporting goods, and other applications due to their high strength, high modulus, low density, and reasonable cost. For applications requiring high temperature resistance, as required by spacecraft, carbon fiber carbon-matrix composites (or carbon+arbon composites) have become dominant. As the price of carbon fibers decreases, their applications have even broadened to the construction industry, which uses carbon fibers to reinforce concrete. An objective of this book is to provide up-to-date information on the whole spectrum of carbon fiber composites, including polymer-matrix, metal-matrix, carbon-matrix, ceramic-matrix, and hybrid composites. Such information pertains to the processing, properties, and applications, and is given in a tutorial fashion, so that no prior knowledge of the field is required. At the end of each chapter, a large number of up-to-date references are included, so the reader can look up further information, if desired. Thus, the book is suitable for students as well as professionals. In contrast to other books on composites, this book is focused on composites with a variety of matrices but carbon fibers alone as the filler. This focus allows detailed consideration of the fiber-matrix interface and the composite processing for a variety of matrices. In contrast, most books on composites tend to focus on only polymeric matrices and consider a variety of fillers. Because of the rapidly increasing importance of matrices other than polymers, the new focus used in this book is necessary. This book was written from the viewpoint of materials, whereas most books on composites were written from the viewpoint of mechanics. Although mechanics is important for the design of structural composite components, the development of new advanced composite materials depends more heavily on composite processing and the fiber-matrix interface. Because this book addresses a variety of emerging composite materials, an emphasis on processing rather than mechanics is necessary. Furthermore, composite materials are increasingly used for applications other than structure; an example is electronic
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Preface

packaging, which uses composites for the sake of their electrical and thermal properties mainly. Because of the emphasis on materials rather than mechanics, this book is more suitable for materials scientistdengineers than mechanical or aerospace engineers. In addition to covering carbon fiber composites (Part 11), this book also covers carbon fibers (Part I). The reader does not have to read Part I before Part 11. However, a basic understanding of carbon fibers helps one appreciate the use of the fibers in various matrices. In keeping with an emphasis on materials, Part I is included in this book. This book is suitable for use as a textbook in the senior undergraduate and graduate levels. Basic undergraduate chemistry and materials science are the only subjects needed for effective use of the book. It is most suitable for courses in materials departments, chemistry departments, and chemical engineering departments. Although this book is unconventional compared to other books on composites, it fills a partial vacuum in the area of composites from the viewpoint of materials rather than mechanics and in the area of composites with matrices other than polymers. I appreciate the value of the other books on composites, and I hope this book will complement them in serving students and professionals in the field of composite materials.