UDAY KIRAN THAGIRCHI 1

ADITYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ADVANCED MATERIALS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is a composite material?

A: A composite is a structural material that consists of two or more combined
constituents that are combined at a macroscopic level and are not soluble in each
other. One constituent is called the reinforcing phase and the one in which it is
embedded is called the matrix.

2. What is an Isotropic material and a homogeneous material?

A:
Isotropic Material:
An isotropic material has properties that are the same in all directions. For example,
the .
Homogeneous material:
A homogeneous body has properties that are the same at all points in the body. A
steel rod is an example of a homogeneous body. However, if one heats this rod at
one end, the temperature at various points on the rod would be different. Because
temperature, one no longer has a
homogeneous body.

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3. Give any two examples each for a naturally found composites and man-made
composites.
A: Naturally found composites:
a. Wood, where the lignin matrix is reinforced with cellulose fibers.
b. Bones in which the bone-salt plates made of calcium and phosphate ions
reinforce soft Collagen
Man-made composites:
a. Concrete Pillar (Reinforcement: Iron Rods; Matrix: concrete mixture)
b. Bricks (Reinforcement: Wood husk; Matrix: Clay)

4. What are the differences between Thermosets and thermoplastics?

A: Thermoset polymers are insoluble and infusible after cure because the chains are
rigidly joined with strong covalent bonds; thermoplastics are formable at high
temperatures and pressure because the bonds are weak and of the van der Waals
type. Typical examples of thermoset include epoxies, polyesters, phenolics, and
polyamide; typical examples of thermoplastics include polyethylene, polystyrene,
polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and polyphenylene sulphide (PPS). The differences
between thermosets and thermoplastics are given in the following table:

Thermoplastics Thermosets

1. Soften on heating and pressure, and

1.Decompose on heating
thus easy to repair

2. High strains to failure 2.Low strains to failure

3. Indefinite shelf life 3.Definite shelf life
4. Can be reprocessed 4.Cannot be reprocessed
5. Not tacky and easy to handle 5.Tacky
6.Short cure cycles 6.Long cure cycles

7.Higher fabrication temperature and

viscosities have made it difficult to 7.Lower fabrication temperature
process
8.Excellent solvent resistance 8.Fair solvent resistance

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5. What are functions of a matrix material?

A: The matrix functions include binding the fibers together, protecting fibers from
the environment, shielding from damage due to handling, and distributing the load
to fibers. Although matrices by themselves generally have low mechanical properties
compared to those of fibers, the matrix influences many mechanical properties of
the composite. These properties include transverse modulus and strength, shear
modulus and strength, compressive strength, interlaminar shear strength, thermal
expansion coefficient, thermal resistance, and fatigue strength.

6. What is Anisotropy?
A: A material is anisotropic when its properties at a point vary with direction or
depend on the orientation of reference axes. If the properties of the material along
any direction are the same as those along a symmetric direction with respect to a
plane, then that plane is defined as a plane of material symmetry.

7. What is a reinforcement in composites? Give advantages disadvantages of some

fibers.

A: The reinforcement phase of a composite may be in the form of continuous or

short fibers, particles of various shapes, and whiskers. It contributes to or determines
the composite stiffness and strength.

A large variety of fibers are available as reinforcement for composites. The

desirable characteristics of most reinforcing fibers are high strength, high stiffness,
and relatively low density. Each type of fiber has its own advantages and
disadvantages as listed

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8. What are the most common advanced composites?

A: The most common advanced composites are polymer matrix composites (PMCs)
consisting of a polymer (e.g., epoxy, polyester, urethane) reinforced by thin
diameter fibers (e.g., graphite, aramids, boron). For example, graphite/ epoxy
composites are approximately five times stronger than steel on a weight for weight
basis. The reasons why they are the most common composites include their low
cost, high strength, and simple manufacturing principles.

9. Give a description of the glass fiber.

A: Glass is the most common fiber used in polymer matrix composites. Its
advantages include its high strength, low cost, high chemical resistance, and good
insulating properties. The drawbacks include low elastic modulus, poor adhesion to
polymers, high specific gravity, sensitivity to abrasion (reduces tensile strength), and
low fatigue strength.

10. Give a description of graphite fibers.

A: Graphite fibers are very common in high-modulus and high-strength applications
such as aircraft components, etc. The advantages of graphite fibers include high
specific strength and modulus, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and high fatigue
strength. The drawbacks include high cost, low impact resistance, and high electrical
conductivity.

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11. Give a description of epoxy. Why epoxy is the most used polymer matrix
material.
A: Epoxy resins are the most commonly used resins. They are low molecular weight
organic liquids containing epoxide groups. Epoxide has three members in its ring:
one oxygen and two carbon atoms. The reaction of epichlorohydrin with phenols
or aromatic amines makes most epoxies. Hardeners, plasticizers,
added to produce epoxies with a wide range of properties of viscosity, impact,
degradation, etc. The main reasons why epoxy is the most used polymer matrix
material are

and prevent
misalignment of fibers during processing

stresses of the
bond between epoxy and its reinforcement

12. What are Prepegs?

A: Prepregs are a ready-made tape composed of fibers in a polymer matrix. They
are available in standard widths from 3 to 50 in. (76 to 1270 mm). Depending on
whether the polymer matrix is thermoset or thermoplastic, the tape is stored in a
refrigerator or at room temperature, respectively. One can lay these tapes manually
or mechanically at various orientations to make a composite structure. Vacuum
bagging and curing under high pressures and temperatures may follow.

13. What is a lamina? What is a laminate?

A: Lamina: A lamina (also called a ply or layer) is a single flat layer of unidirectional
fibers or woven fibers arranged in a matrix.
Laminate: A laminate is a stack of plies of composites. Each layer can be laid at
various orientations and can be made up of different material systems.

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14. Define Strain Energy?

A: Strain Energy is defined as the capacity to do work. In solid, deformable, elastic
bodies under loads, the work done by external loads is stored as recoverable strain
energy. The strain energy stored in the body per unit volume is then defined as

15. What is Monoclinic Material?

A: If, in one plane of material symmetry* (Figure), for example, direction 3 is normal
to the plane of material symmetry, then the stiffness matrix reduces to

16. How many engineering constants are required for different materials?
A: Type of Material No. of Engineering constants
Anisotropic: 21
Monoclinic: 13
Orthotropic: 9
Transversely isotropic: 5
Isotropic: 2

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17. Hygrothermal Stresses and Strains in a Lamina

A: Composite materials are generally processed at high temperatures and then
cooled down to room temperatures. For polymeric matrix composites, this
temperature difference is in the range of 200 to 300°C; for ceramic matrix
composites, it may be as high as 1000°C. Due to mismatch of the coefficients of
thermal expansion of the fiber and matrix, residual stresses result in a lamina when
it is cooled down. Also, the cooling down induces expansional strains in the lamina.
In addition, most polymeric matrix composites can absorb or de-absorb moisture.
This moisture change leads to swelling strains and stresses similar to those due to
thermal expansion.

18. Explain the process of Curing.

A: Curing primarily refers to the process of solidification of polymer matrix
materials. Metal matrix materials are simply heated and cooled around fibers to
solidify. Ceramic matric and carbon matrix materials are either vapor deposited,
mixed with fibers in a slurry and hardened, or, in the case of carbon, subjected to
repeated liquid infiltration followed by carbonization.

~ALL THE BEST~

ADVANCED MATERIALS | SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS