TOPIC: Analysis of Advanced Composite Materials as Reinforcement for Structures
ABSTRACT
Advanced composite materials have been known to offer high strength-to-weight ratios, excellent fatigue
resistance, and enhanced durability compared to traditional materials. These materials have numerous
advantages as structural reinforcement however, their anisotropic behavior, manufacturing complexity, and cost
considerations must be carefully addressed during the design and implementation phases. In this research, we
aim to analyze the performance and feasibility of advanced composite materials as reinforcement for structures
and investigate their suitability for different structural applications. The study has five processes
1. establishing what are the mechanical properties that need to be analyzed in the chosen composite material. in
this study, we will focus on the strength, stiffness, toughness, fatigue resistance, creep resistance, ductility,
hardness and thermal conductivity of the composite material.
2. choosing a sample advanced composite material. There will be two sample in this study. Sample one will be
an advanced composite material that is commonly used in structures to serve as a basis for sample two. Sample
two will be an advanced composite material with a natural fiber as a reinforcement with the addition of a flame
retardant.
3. Analyzing mechanical properties of the sample. The two samples will each be tested individually according
to the properties respective ASTM standard or test method such as Brinell Hardness test.
4. conducting simulated structural analysis by comparing the mechanical properties of the two samples.
5. If feasible, conduct prototype testing to validate the performance of the selected composite material in realworld conditions.
BACKGROUND
Advanced composite materials are a class of materials that have gained significant attention and application in
various industries, including aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, and sporting goods, among others. These
materials offer superior mechanical properties and unique characteristics compared to traditional materials like
metals and plastics. When used as reinforcements for structures, they can enhance the overall performance,
durability, and strength-to-weight ratio of the composite structures.
Advanced composite materials are known to be divided into 4 classifications.
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Fiber-reinforced composites: These consist of high-strength fibers (e.g., carbon, glass, aramid)
embedded in a matrix material (e.g., epoxy, polyester, thermoplastics).
Particle-reinforced composites: In these materials, small particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are added to the
matrix to improve specific properties.
Laminate composites: Made by stacking multiple layers of different fiber orientations to tailor the
mechanical properties in specific directions.
Sandwich structures: Comprise a lightweight core material (e.g., foam, honeycomb) sandwiched
between two face sheets, providing high strength-to-weight ratios.
The Reinforcement mechanism in advanced composite materials mostly depended on the material and structure.
The fibers in composite materials carry most of the mechanical loads, providing high tensile and compressive
strength, while the matrix serves to transfer stresses between fibers, protect them from environmental damage,
and enhance other properties like toughness. The specific arrangement and orientation of fibers can be tailored
to suit the intended application, enabling anisotropic properties that can match the load requirements more
efficiently.
Advanced Composite materials are known to offer remarkable qualities when used as reinforcement in
structures. Advanced composites offer excellent strength and stiffness while being significantly lighter than
traditional materials and Unlike metals, composites are naturally resistant to corrosion and degradation.
Composites can be molded into complex shapes and withstand repeated loading and unloading without
significant degradation in performance. Advance composites are widely used in the fields of engineering due to
their qualities specifically utilized in in aircraft structures, such as wings, fuselage, and empennage, to reduce
weight and improve fuel efficiency, in automotive where composites are employed in car body panels, chassis
components, and suspension parts to enhance performance and reduce fuel consumption and in civil
engineering where it is utilized in bridges, buildings, and infrastructure to provide high strength and durability
while reducing overall weight.
One study about advanced composite materials used natural fibers. The use of natural fibers as reinforcement
with their environmental sustainability contributes to the overall eco-friendliness of the composite materials.
Natural fibers include the bone structure of animals or the cellulosic fibers in plants such as bamboo, flax, or
hemp. It is shown in the study that natural fibers exhibit unique mechanical properties due to their hierarchical
structure and intrinsic properties. By harnessing these characteristics, the bio-inspired composites show
enhanced strength, stiffness, and toughness while maintaining a low weight profile. Research in composites
gives ways to analyze the mechanical properties of composite materials. In this study, the mechanical properties
such as tensile strength, hardness, modulus, and toughness, as well as electrical conductivity and thermal
conductivity, are characterized and compared using different test methods. These properties are tested in a
universal testing machine by their respective ASTM standard. There are studies about the thermal conductivity
of a composite material and how to manipulate this property using a flame retardant. The thermal conductivity
of the composites is measured using techniques such as the transient plane source method or the laser flash
method. The study also included the effect of fiber-matrix interfaces, fiber alignment, and matrix material
properties on the thermal conductivity of the composite material. It is stated that polymer composites find
extensive use in various industries but their flammability limits their applications in fire-prone environments
and this is where the flame retardants are introduced. Flame retardants are chemical additives or treatments
applied to materials to reduce their flammability and slow down the spread of fire. They work by interrupting
the combustion process and preventing or delaying ignition, flame spread, and heat release. It is stated that the
incorporation of intumescent flame retardants significantly improves the fire resistance of polymer composites.
The formation of a protective char layer upon exposure to heat or flames acts as a barrier, reducing the heat
transfer and delaying the spread of fire. The flame retardants also suppress smoke generation and reduce the
release of toxic gases, improving the overall fire safety performance of the composites.
Structural materials are susceptible to various forms of damage, such as cracks, delamination, and fatigue which
can compromise their integrity and performance. Existing in this field is the introduction of a self-healing agent
to composite materials which can extend their life and improve their durability. The study states incorporating
healing agents or capsules containing healing agents into the composite matrix. When damage occurs, the
healing agents are triggered, allowing them to flow and fill the cracks or voids. The healing process can be
activated by external stimuli, such as heat, light, or mechanical force. The healing efficiency and mechanical
properties of the self-healed composite materials are evaluated through mechanical testing, microscopy analysis,
and other characterization techniques. it is demonstrated that the incorporation of self-healing mechanisms into
composite materials enables the repair of damage and restoration of mechanical properties. The healing agents
effectively seal cracks and restore load-bearing capacity, preventing further propagation of damage.
Related Studies:
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Ghezzo, Fabrizia & Starr, T. & Perram, T. & Darlington, Thomas & Starr, A. & Smith, D.. (2009).
Development of self healing composite materials: Fabrication and micro-structural analyses. ICCM
International Conferences on Composite Materials.
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Bahadur, R. & Bar-Cohen, Avram. (2006). Characterization and Modeling of Anisotropic Thermal
Conductivity in Polymer Composites. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Electronic and
Photonic Packaging, EPP. 10.1115/IMECE2006-15484.
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Kim, Yukyung & Lee, Sanghyuck & Yoon, Hyeonseok. (2021). Fire-Safe Polymer Composites: FlameRetardant Effect of Nanofillers. Polymers. 13. 540. 10.3390/polym13040540.
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Bal, S. & Sekhar, Subhranshu. (2007). Carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites—A state of the
art. Bulletin of Materials Science. 30. 379-386. 10.1007/s12034-007-0061-2.
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Santulli, Carlo. (2015). Bio-inspired fiber composites. Biomimetic Technologies: Principles and
Applications. 33-51. 10.1016/B978-0-08-100249-0.00002-1.