USN : 1DA15ME001 to 1DA15ME007

SEMISTER : 8 (MECHANICAL)
SUBJECT : SMART MATERIALS, ME813
COLLEGE : DR AIT
UNIT-1 MODEL QUESTION PAPER SOLUTION
 UNIT-1
Q1.What do you understand by the term composite? Give the classification and characteristics of composite
materials.
A composite material is defined as a structural material created synthetically or artificially by combining
two or more materials created synthetically or artificially by combining two or more materials having dissimilar
characteristics .The constituents are combined at microscopic level and are not soluble in each other.one constituent
as matrix phase and other is called Reinforcing phase is embedded in the matrix to give the desired characteristics.
Reinforcing phase : fibres, flakes, particulates, whiskers etc
Matrix phase : continuous phase

Classification

Characteristics of composite materials

 Fibres
Glass High strength, low stiffness, high density, lowest cost.
Graphite Available as high modulus or high strength; low cost; less dense than glass.
Boron High strength and stiffness; high density; highest cost; has tungsten filament at its
Centre.
Aramids Highest strength to weight ratio of all fibres; high cost.

 Matrix materials
 Thermosets Epoxy and polyester, with former most commonly used; others are phenolics,
Fluorocarbons, silicon and polyimides.
Thermoplastics Tougher than thermosets but lower resistance to temperature.
Metals Aluminium, magnesium and titanium; economy and durability.
Ceramic Tensile and compressive behaviour, fracture toughness, fatigue resistance.
 Composites are less noisy while in operation and provide lower vibration transmission.
 Composite exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and fire retardant capability.
 Lower embedded energy.
 Improved torsion stiffness and impact properties.
 Long life offers excellent fatigue, impact, environment resistance and reduced maintenance.

Q.2. Mention the merits and demerits of MMCP, FRP and CMCP.
Merits of MMCP
 Higher temperature capability
 High electrical and thermal conductivities
 Fire resistance
 Better radiation resistance
 High compression and tensile strength
 Economic efficiency
Demerits of MMCP
 Some fabrication processes are complex and expensive.
 Higher cost of some reinforcing fibres
 Relatively immature technology
 Machining difficult
 Complex fabrication methods
 Reinforcing material may reduce ductility and fracture toughness.
Merits of FRP
 Does not corrode
 High strength to weight ratio
 Reduced installation time and cost
 Non-conductive and non-metallic
 Low maintenance requirements
Demerits of FRP
 High initial cost
 Potential for environmental degradation
 Creep
 Lack of standard and design guides
 Temperature and moisture effects
Merits of CMCP
 High temperature operation
 Reduced weight
 Lower life cycle cost
 Higher chemical stability
 High hardness
Demerits of CMCP
 Inherent brittleness of ceramics
 Severe sensitivity to flaws and point contact stresses
  Low strain intolerance
 Unpredictable catastrophic failure

Q.3. Discuss in detail various application of composites

 In automobile industries e.g. steel and aluminium body
 Marine applications like shafts, hulls, spars(for racing boats)
 Aeronautical application like components of rockets, aircrafts (business and military), missiles
etc.
 Communication antenna, electronic circuit boards(e.g. PCB, breadboard)
 Safety equipment like ballistic protection and air bags of cars
 Coolers
 High speed machinery
 Metal matrix composites in piston rings, connecting roads and piston of IC engines Battery
plates connecting rods, and pistons of IC engines.
 Polymer matrix composites in panels of flooring of aircrafts, rudders and elevators of aircrafts
 Ceramic composites in tool materials, heat engines, cutting tool inserts and aircraft engine
parts.
 Carbon-carbon composites in space shuttles Nose cones Aircraft brakes Mechanical fasteners
for high-temperature applications wind shield of helicopter rotor blades.

Q.4. Discuss fibrous composites, laminated composites and particulate composites.

 Fibrous composite
A fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) is a composite building material that consists of three components:
1.Continuous and aligned: The fibres are longer than a critical length which is the minimum length
necessary such that the entire load is transmitted .Fibre length greater than the 25 times the critical length are
considered optimal. Aligned and continuous fibres give the most effective strengthening for fibre
composites.
2.Discontinuos and aligned: The fibres are shorter than the critical length. Hence discontinuous fibres
are less effective in strengthening the material, however, their composite modulus and tensile strengths can
approach 50-90% of their continuous and aligned counterparts. And they are cheaper, faster and easier to
fabricate into complicated shapes.
3.Random: This is also called discrete ,(or chopped)fibres. The strength will not be as high as with
aligned fibres, however, the advantages are that the material will be isotropic and cheaper.

 Laminated composites
Laminar composites include thin coatings, cladded metal, bimetallic, laminates etc. Many
laminar composites are designed to improve corrosion resistance, retaining low cost, light
weight and high strength. other important characteristics include superior wear resistance,
improved appearance and unusual thermal expansion characteristics. Laminar composites are
 extremely anisotropic and the properties vary significantly with orientation. Following
formulae can be used predict the properties in respective orientation.
Properties of in perpendicular to load axis Properties of in parallel to load axis
1 𝑉𝑖
=∑𝐸𝑖 Ec =∑ViEi
𝐸𝑐
𝐸 c= young's modulus of composite
Ei=young's modulus of fibre and matrix

 Particulate composite
The characteristics of particulates is dependent on the size and distribution of particulates,
type of matrix and particles and the interface bond strength. Smaller size and increased
volume fraction lead to improved properties. Debonding and pull out of particles are
invariably the reasons for poor bond strength. Particulate composites are popular in metal
matrix and ceramic matrix composite.
Particulates are classified as despersoids and large particulates. Dispersoids reinforced
composites are mainly used for high temperature applications to provide creep strength and
high temperature tensile strength. The dispersoids that act as obstacles to moving dislocations
are the ones which are ideal. In the case of large particulates composites, certain can be
predicted using the rule of mixtures. This means the properties are proportional to the volume
fraction of particulates.