Do not read so much, look about you and think of

what you see there


 – Feyman
Crystal whiskers - SiC
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Fibers:
mainly - glass (GFRPs), carbon (CFRPs), aramid,
others - B, SiC, Al2O3
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Fibers:
mainly - glass (GFRPs), carbon (CFRPs), aramid,
others - B, SiC, Al2O3
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Fibers:
mainly - glass (GFRPs), carbon (CFRPs), aramid,
others - B, SiC, Al2O3
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Fibers:
mainly - glass (GFRPs), carbon (CFRPs), aramid,
others - B, SiC, Al2O3
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Fibers:
mainly - glass (GFRPs), carbon (CFRPs), aramid,
others - B, SiC, Al2O3
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Carbon fibers frequently used as woven fabrics

impregnated with an epoxy
Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)
 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Woven carbon fiber fabrics in auto industry -

2006 BMW M6 - roof (unpainted)

'vette Z06 - front fenders, wheel wells, floor

Porsche Carrera GT ($440,000) - frame

Scion accessories - gear shift knob ($49), fuel-filler

door ($39), roof pillar appliqués ($75-189), etc.
Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Matrix
Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Very common - polyesters, vinyl esters

 Composites

Role of matrix in FR composites:

a. transfer stresses betwn fibers
b. provide barrier to environment
c. protect fibers

Matrix/fiber bond:
matrix must wet fiber
physical & chemical bond desirable
mechanical interlocking

Fibers frequently coated w/ coupling agent

Composites

non-coupled coupled
 Composites

Fibers - variables
amount
fiber length
distribution
orientation
 Composites

Fibers - variables
amount
fiber length
distribution
orientation

Fiber orientation can be

random
aligned
intermediate
Composites
Composites
Assignment:

Review today's classnotes

a. PMCs - fibers
b. vinyl esters
c. matrix/fiber bond
d. fiber characteristics & behavior

Read pp. 538-563

 Composites - polymer matrix composites (PMCs)

Role of matrix in FR composites:

a. transfer stresses betwn fibers
b. provide barrier to environment
c. protect fibers

Slow crack growth

deflect crack tips
redistribute stresses around crack tips
bridge crack tips