Composites
Definition
• a material which is produced from two or more constituent materials.
• The components maintain their identity within the composite, i.e.,
they do not dissolve or completely merge into one another, though
they act in concert.
Properties
• The tensile strength of composite materials is 4-6 times higher than
conventional materials such as steel, aluminum, etc.
• They have better torsion and stiffness properties.
• High fatigue endurance limit (ultimate tensile strength of up to 60%).
• They are 30–45% lighter than aluminum structures designed for the
same functional requirements.
• Low embedded energy.
• Composites make less noise during operation and provide less
vibration.
• Composite materials are additional versatile.
Types of Composites
COMPOSITES
POLYMER MATRIX
COMPOSITES
(PMCS)
HIGHPERFORMANCE
COMPOSITES
METAL MATRIX
COMPOSITES
(MMCS)
CERAMICS METAL
COMPOSITES
(CMCS)
Classification
COMPOSITES
MICROSPHERES
FILLED
COMPOSITES
FLAKES
STRUCTURES
PARTICULATE
REINFORCED
COMPOSITES
LAMINAR
COMPOSITE
FIBRE
REINFORCED
COMPONENT
Application
• Trains
• Road Bridge
• Door frames
• Highways
• Concrete
• Rehabilitation and Retrofit
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages
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They are light in weight and low density.
It has high creep resistance.
Strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight are greater than in steel or aluminum.
Fatigue properties are higher than normal engineering metals.
Composites cannot corrode like steel.
Ease of fabrication of large advanced structural shapes or modular-modular
constructions.
• The ability to include sensors into the fabric to monitor its performance-smart
composites.
• It has excessive resistance to impression damage.
• Also enhance corrosion resistance.
Disadvantages
• It excessive price of raw materials and manufacture.
• Composites are extra brittle than wrought metals, thus they get
additionally damaged.
• The transverse properties are also weak.
• The matrix is weak, so there is very little toughness.
• Reuse and disposal of composite material will be difficult.
• It is difficult to attach.
• Difficulty with analysis.
• Costs may fluctuate.