1

Section
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

Introduction to Polymer Composites

Higher Performance Through Synergism.

W
elcome to Polymer Composites and Processing. These notes are intended to summarize
some of the material that we’ll be covering this semester. Several sections are intentionally
left blank for you to fill in during the lecture. The best approach will be to follow along
during the lectures, filling in the empty sections, as well as writing additional notes on
blank paper to insert with these pages. You may want to obtain a three ring binder to hold the notes
in one place as we progress through the semester. In addition to these formal notes, many classes will
not have notes prepared, and you’ll need to prepare your own notes from scratch based on the lecture
and discussion. Additional material from the text book and references will also be assigned that may
not be covered in these notes.

Materials In Society and Engineering I C O N K E Y

Materials have always been an integral part of human culture and Valuable information
civilization. Interesting fact
Definition
• Consider the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages

• What age are we in today?

ABET Definition of Engineering -

“Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and
natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgement
to develop ways to utilize, economically, the ____________________ and
______________________ of nature for the benefit of mankind”

• Virtually every modern technology is ________________________________________ with

respect to performance, reliability, and cost.

1
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

The materials science tetrahedron

This materials tetrahedron will be a key theme throughout this course.

Composite Materials
What is a composites material?

• A material having two or more

_________________________________
_________________________________

• The composite properties are

_________________________________
Is this a composite material?
_________________________________

• Consist of one or more ___________ phases (reinforcement) embedded in a

_______________ phase (matrix).

• Composite = ________________+ __________________ + ________________.

2
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

Why Composites?

• ______________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________

3
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

4
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

Structural Composites are often FRPs (_________________________________________________________).

Why Fiber?

• Fiber take advantage of high strengths that are not apparent in “solid form”
Because ___________________ are restricted to small number of fibers.

The Properties of the FRP composites are determined by:

• ___________________________________________________________

• ___________________________________________________________

• ___________________________________________________________

• ___________________________________________________________

• ___________________________________________________________

Distinctive Properties of Composites:

• _______________________________

• _______________________________

5
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

Classifications of Composites:

• Based on Form of Reinforcement

6
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

• Types Based on Matrix

Matrix Phase / Metal Ceramic Polymer

Reinforcement Phase
Metal Powder metallurgy parts – Cermets (ceramic-metal Brake pads
combining immiscible composite)
metals

Ceramic Cermets, TiC, TiCN SiC reinforced Al2O3 Fiberglass

Cemented carbides – used Tool materials
in tools
Fiber-reinforced metals

Polymer Kevlar fibers in an epoxy

matrix

Elemental (Carbon, Fiber reinforced metals Rubber with carbon (tires)

Boron, etc.) Auto parts Boron, Carbon reinforced
aerospace plastics

MMC’s CMC’s PMC’s

Metal Matrix Composites Ceramic Matrix Comp’s. Polymer Matrix Comp’s

7
P O L Y M E R C O M P O S I T E S A N D P R O C E S S I N G

Polymer Blends and Block Copolymers

Homopolymer

Polymer Blends polymer

Block Copolymer

Polymer blend are multicomponent polymer materials composed primarily of two

or more polymers (A)NB+(B)NA (usually not _____________________________
to each other). Polymer blends are usually hard to mix so __________________
is the “rule”. These phase separated blends are composite materials with variable
____________________________, __________________________, and
_________________________________________ (these can be controlled,
somewhate) by kinetics and quenching.

Block copolymers are linked end to end. The

___________________________________________________ of A and B
chains can be avoided and the size and symmetry of the domain of A and B can be
controlled by chemically connecting A and B chains.

8
Blends and Copolymer Structures

Classifications of Polymer Blends and Copolymers:

9
Why Polymer Blends?

10