CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The engineering society has always been on the lookout for wonder-materials which would

fit the bills for all types of service conditions. It stem from the need to make progressive

discoveries made by scientists, affordable. This affordability quotient has persuaded many

researchers to develop such materials which would satisfy various hitherto unexplored

conditions. In today’s world almost all generic materials have been tried for various uses and

their limitations have been met. But the never ending quest of civilization requires that

materials qualify for harsher environments. This unavoidable situation demands that new

materials be created from various combinations of other compatible materials. It is to be

noted here that this method is not new; it has been with mankind since ages. In every part of

the world, various materials have been combined to achieve some intended properties, albeit

each case differs from the others, i.e. one can create new materials with unique properties,

which can be tailor-made and are different from their base ingredients. This concept holds

true for a genre of materials called Composite materials where in, various types of matrices

may be combined with Reinforcements which contribute to the enhancement of the

properties. (P.E.S college of engineering 2013)

A composite material is a combination of two or more chemically different materials with a

distinct interface between them. The constituent materials maintain their separate identities in

the composite, yet their combination produces properties and characteristics that are different

from those of the constituents. One of these constituents’ forms a continuous phase and it is

called as the matrix. The other major constituent is the reinforcement phase available in the

form of fibers or as a particulate in general, added to the matrix to improve or alter the matrix
properties. Reinforcement by a particulate forms a discontinuous phase uniformly distributed

throughout the matrix. Therefore, composites have improved mechanical properties such as

strength and toughness when compared with monolithic materials.

The main advantage of a composite material over conventional material is the combination of

different properties which are not often found in the conventional materials. The

extraordinary combination properties include high strength to weight ratio, higher stiffness to

weight ratio, improved fatigue resistance, improved corrosion resistance, higher resistance to

thermal expansion, higher wear resistance and fracture toughness etc. There are a number of

situations in service that demand an unusual combination of properties. Further, the present

day trend is to go in for light weight constructions for easy handling and reduced space,

aesthetic appearance and high resistance to weathering attack. These factors have propelled

the modern designers to develop newer composite materials up to the stage of large-scale

production with exacting requirements. (İZMİR 2006)

Aluminium is the most popular matrix for the metal matrix composites. The aluminium

alloys are quite attractive due to their low density, their capability to be strengthened by

precipitation, their good corrosion resistance, high thermal and electrical conductivity, and

their high vibration damping capacity. They offer a large variety of mechanical properties

depending on the chemical composition of the aluminium matrix.

They are usually reinforced by aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon dioxide, graphite,

boron nitride, boron carbide etc., Aluminium based composites, reinforced with ceramic

particles, offer improvements over the matrix alloy: an elastic modulus higher than that of

aluminium, a coefficient of thermal expansion which is closer to that of steel or of cast iron, a
 greater resistance to wear and an improvement in rupture stress especially at higher

temperatures and possibly improved resistance to thermal fatigue.

Not all these desirable features are found in any single composite. The advantages that

composite material have to offer must be balanced against their undesirable properties which

include complex rheological behavior and difficult fabrication techniques as well as a

reduction in some physical and mechanical properties.

1.2 PROBLEMS STATEMENT

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this work is to develop a polymeric composite reinforcement with

aluminium for aircraft, automobile and ship application

The objective are as follow:

1. To obtain understanding of the state-of-the-art of aluminium matrix composite Materials

2 To understand the properties of aluminium matrix composite materials as a basis for

materials selection

3 To obtained a structural and mechanical properties of polymeric composite

4 To understand the various types of aluminium matrix composites

1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY

The scope of this work will cove production of composite material using polymer as matrix

will aluminium as reinforcement agents, knowing the effect of aluminium as reinforcing

agent on polymer. The physical and chemical properties and behavior of polymers and

composite will be known and compare with other exist mechanical material.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE

The study of composite and polymer will help put into good use of aluminium that been less

use and sometime wasted in the society

The following are some of the reasons why composites are selected for certain applications:

High strength to weight ratio (low density high tensile strength)

High creep resistance

High tensile strength at elevated temperatures

High toughness

1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY

The scope of this work will cove production of composite material using polymer as matrix

will aluminium as reinforcement agents, knowing the effect of aluminium as reinforcing

agent on polymer. The physical and chemical properties and behavior of polymers and

composite will be known and compare with other exist mechanical material.