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COMPOSITE MATERIALS

A composite material can be defined as a combination of two or more

materials that results in better properties than those of the individual components used alone.
In contrast to metallic alloys, each material retains its separate chemical, physical, and
mechanical properties. The two constituents are reinforcement and a matrix. The main
advantages of composite materials are their high strength and stiffness, combined with low
density, when compared with bulk materials, allowing for a weight reduction in the finished
part.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPOSITES MATERIALS

Composite materials are commonly classified at following two distinct levels:

1. The first level of classification is usually made with respect to the matrix constituent.
The major composite classes include Organic Matrix Composites (OMCs), Metal
Matrix Composites (MMCs) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs). The term
organic matrix composite is generally assumed to include two classes of composites,
namely Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) and carbon matrix composites
commonly referred to as carbon-carbon composites.

2. The second level of classification refers to the reinforcement form - fiber reinforced
composites, laminar composites and particulate composites. Fiber Reinforced
composites (FRP) can be further divided into those containing discontinuous or
continuous fibers.

3. Fiber Reinforced Composites are composed of fibers embedded in matrix material.

Such a composite is considered to be a discontinuous fiber or short fiber composite if
its properties vary with fiber length. On the other hand, when the length of the fiber is
such that any further increase in length does not further increase, the elastic modulus
of the composite, the composite is considered to be continuous fiber reinforced.
Fibers are small in diameter and when pushed axially, they bend easily although they
 have very good tensile properties. These fibers must be supported to keep individual
fibers from bending and buckling.

4. Laminar Composites are composed of layers of materials held together by matrix.

Sandwich structures fall under this category.

5. Particulate Composites are composed of particles distributed or embedded in a matrix

body. The particles may be flakes or in powder form. Concrete and wood particle
boards are examples of this category.
ADVANTAGES OF COMPOSITES
Summary of the advantages exhibited by composite materials, which are of significant use in
engineering are as follows:
1. Light in weight and Lower density
2. High creep resistance
3. Strength-to-weight and Stiffness-to-weight are greater than steel or aluminum
4. Fatigue properties are better than common engineering metals
5. Composites cannot corrode like steel
6. Possible to achieve combinations of properties not attainable with metals, ceramics,
or polymers alone
7. Ease of fabrication of large complex structural shapes or modules-Modular
construction
8. Ability to incorporate sensors in the material to monitor and correct its performance-
Smart composites
9. High resistance to impact damage.
10. Improved corrosion resistance
11. Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) shapes: panels, rods, tubes, beams, columns, cellular
panels (highway bridge decks), etc.:
12. Cables and Tendons as tension elements (pre- and posttensioning of structures)
13. Beams, girders and cellular panels to support large loads (vehicular and pedestrian
bridges)
 14. Trusses in a wide variety of structures (bridges, transmission towers, and industrial
plants)
15. Columns, posts and pilings to carry vertical loads (bridge columns, marine pilings,
and utility poles):
16. Composite rebar’s and grids to reinforce concrete in bridge decks and highway
barriers
17. Composite cables and tendons to pre stress/post-tension concrete structures (bridges
and building)
18. Like metals, thermoplastics have indefinite shelf life..
19. Excellent heat sink properties of composites, especially Carbon-Carbon, combined
with their lightweight have extended their use for aircraft brakes.
20. Improved friction and wear properties.

ORGANIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC)/Carbon Matrix Composites or
Carbon-graphite Composites
Polymers make ideal materials as they can be processed easily, possess
lightweight, and desirable mechanical properties. It follows, therefore, that high temperature
resins are extensively used in aeronautical applications.
Two main kinds of polymers are thermosets and thermoplastics. Thermosets
have qualities such as a well-bonded three-dimensional molecular structure after curing.
They decompose instead of melting on hardening. Merely changing the basic composition of
the resin is enough to alter the conditions suitably for curing and determine its other
characteristics. They can be retained in a partially cured condition too over prolonged periods
of time, rendering Thermosets very flexible. Thus, they are most suited as matrix bases for
advanced conditions fiber reinforced composites. Thermosets find wide ranging applications
in the chopped fiber composites form particularly when a premixed or moulding compound
with fibers of specific quality and aspect ratio happens to be starting material as in epoxy,
polymer and phenolic polyamide resins.