Composite

Materials
THE FUTURE OF MATERIAL SCIENCE
Points of
Discussion
introduction
types
advantages
applications
recent advances
A composite material is a
multi-phase material made by
combining two or more
physically/ chemically distinct
materials – often ones that
have very different
properties. The two materials
work together to give the
composite unique properties.
The dispersed phase involves the reinforcements that are added to strengthen a material. The
high specific strength and moduli that they impart characterize a composite and define its
mechanical properties. The dispersed phase can be in the form of particles, fibers and whiskers.

DISPERSED PHASE +
MATRIX PHASE =
The matrix phase plays the role of binding together fibers by virtue of its adhesive and cohesive
characteristics, and protects dispersed particles or fibers from damage, distributing load evenly
across composite. Matrices can be made of polymer, metal or ceramics.

COMPOSITE
 TYPES
of composites
 Particulate composites are a mixture
of particles in matrix medium. These
can be of two types: large particles
and dispersion strengthened
composites. Important and popular
variants of particulate composites are
cermets: ceramics bonded with
metals.

PARTICULATE
FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES
LAYERED COMPOSITES
COMPOSITES
Fiber reinforced composites involve a
Layered composites are an assembly
matrix that encapsulates various types
of multiple layers/sheets. Use of
of fibers fixated in place by a bonding
different materials result in a hybrid
agent. Fibers used may be made of
material. Subsequent materials may
glass, carbon, aramid or alumina.
have different orientation. Another
These composites have specific
variant of layered composites are
strengths and high specific moduli.
Sandwich composites.
Schematic Diagram of Types of Composites
 T Y P E S O F F I B E R R E I N F O R C E D C O M P O S I T E S

GLASS FIBER CARBON FIBER ARAMID FIBER

REINFORCED POLYMER
COMPOSITES
low density, high tensile strength,
impact resistance and excellent
chemical/ corrosion resistance.
limited rigidity and service
temperature.
REINFORCED POLYMER
COMPOSITES
most popular type of composite,
low weight, very high strength,
corrosion resistance, broad range
of service temperatures. used for
advanced applications, high cost.
REINFORCED POLYMER
COMPOSITES
aramid fibres are strong synthetic heat-
resistant fibres. short fibers have high
aspect ratio, high surface area and give
effective reinforcement. long fibers act as
high quality engineering materials by
sustaining high compressive stresses 

ALUMINA OR CARBON FIBER

REINFORCED METAL
COMPOSITES
ductile metal matrix reinforced with
fibers may improve specific strength
and stiffness, resistance to abrasion,
creep and dimensional stability.
PARTICULATE
COMPOSITES
FACTORS GOVERNING BEHAVIOUR:
i) distribution of particles in matrix: uniform/ non-uniform
ii) relative volume fraction of constituents
iii) strength of bond at interface of particles and matrix

TYPE: DISPERSION STRENGTHENED

TYPE: LARGE PARTICLE COMPOSITES
PARTICLE COMPOSITES
E1) A composite in which vulcanized rubber
Consists of dispersion of particles that are
matrix is is strengthened by adding carbon
very hard, inherent material. This material may
black particles
be metallic or non-metallic. Interaction
between particles and matrix are on atomic/
E2) Cermets in which ceramics like titanium
molecular level. Examples are thoria
carbide or tungsten carbide are embedded in
dispersed nickel and sintered aluminium
metals. Cermets are used primarily in cutting
powder.
tools.
LAYERED
COMPOSITES
L A Y E R E D C O M P O S I T E S
These composites consist of a number of two dimensional
sheets or layers that are stacked and subsequently cemented
together, such that orientation of reinforcement varies with
each successive layer. These layers possess a very high
strength in the direction of reinforcement due to the
anisotropic nature of materials arranged in layers.

S A N D W I C H P A N E L
 ADVANTAGE
COMPOSITES
Low weight: Lesser densities and lower weights of
composites make them the most desirable in the
manufacturing industry. Their use results in a 25-50%
weight reduction as compared to their metallic
counterparts in machinery

High strength, resistance to stress and torsional stiffness.

Also max damage tolerance characteristics make these
ideal engineering materials.

Corrosion resistance is one of the most important

characteristics of composites, which result in lesser
maintenance issues.
 ADVANTAGES SPECIFIC TO TYPE

FIBER REINFORCED PARTICULATE

LAYERED COMPOSITES
COMPOSITES COMPOSITES
more durable, lesser high creep resistance thermal conductivity and expansion of
maintenance requirements high tensile strength at elevated material with change in temperature are
recyclable temperatures tailored
high modulus of elasticity high toughness high level of anisotropy is maintained
corrosion resistant high strength to weight ratio shock-resistant and heat-resistant
can be used at high temperatures
APPLICATIONS
- Aerospace Industry
- Automotive Industry
- Marine Engineering
- Scientific equipment and industrial machinery
- Sporting goods and musical instruments
RECENT ADVANCES
Recent advancements in composite materials has seen emergence of
new materials, which serve a range of purposes.

- Smart Composites
- Self-healing Composites
- Shape-memory Composites
- Green Composites
- Nanocomposites
SELF-HEALING
COMPOSITES
Self-healing composites are built
in capacity to substantially recover
their load transferring ability after
damage. They are capable of
sensing and responding to
damage over life-time, enhancing
durability.
These composites on damage,
restore material performance and
properties such as fracture
toughness and mechanical
strength.
The mechanism involves the
release of healing agents in cracks
where it solidifies in the presence
of pre-dispersed catalysts,
therefore healing the crack.
SMART
COMPOSITES
Smart composites consist of
subsystems intended for external
signal or stimulus, processing,
functional response, feedback,
self-diagnostics and self-repair.
Examples of such composites:
- shape memorizing alloys and
polymer composites capable of
self healing
- pH sensitive polymer composites
- temperature responsive
composites
- halochromic, thermochromic,
electrochromic and photochromic
composites that change colour in
response to change in pH values,
intensity of electric field,
temperature or light.
SHAPE-MEMORY
COMPOSITES
Shape memory composites
(SMCs) are attractive materials as
they combine typical mechanical
and functional properties of
composites with shape memory
properties. Such properties can be
given to composite materials and
structures by using shape memory
polymer (SMP) matrices or
integrating parts made of SMPs.
After the application of a given
stimulus (generally by heating) the
initial shape can be recovered.
GREEN
COMPOSITES
Green composite combines plant
fibres with natural resins to create
natural composite materials.
Biomaterial composites are made
from hemp, kenaf, sisal, soybean,
etc. Natural fibres are emerging as
low cost, lightweight and
apparently environmentally
superior alternative to synthetic
fibres.
The resins and fibres used in the
green composites are
biodegradable; when dumped, and
decomposed by the action of
microorganisms, they are
converted into H2O and CO2.
NANO
COMPOSITES
Nanocomposites are composites
in which at least one of the phases
shows dimensions in the
nanometre range. With increased
surface area contact of
reinforcements to matrices,
distinct mechanical, thermal and
electrical properties are seen.
With an estimated annual growth
rate of about 25% and fastest
demand to be an engineering
material, they are becoming useful
in several areas ranging from
packaging to biomedical
applications, to automotive and
electronics industries.
 "Composite materials add a new dimension to
material sciences and are the future substitutes of
naturally available materials"

the End!