1

COMPOSITE MATERIALS BASICS

CHEM-347

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT
Table of Contents: 2
Topic Slide No
Composite Materials 3
Matrix Phase & Reinforcing Phase 4
Historical Aspect of Composites 5
Fibers and Matrices 7
Principal Fiber Materials 8
Materials for Matrices 9
Main features of compsoites 11
Examples of Composite Materials 12
Composites and Sustainability 13
Conclusive Note 15
 3
A composite can be defined as a artificial combination of two or more materials that
retain their macro-structure resulting in a material that have improved properties
than the constituents alone.
Composite material is a material composed of two or more distinct phases (matrix
phase and dispersed phase) and having bulk properties significantly different from
those of any of the constituents.

Matrix
Phase

COMPOSITES

Dispersed
Phase
Matrix phase 4
The primary phase, having a continuous character, is called matrix.
Matrix is usually more ductile and less hard phase.
It holds the dispersed phase and shares a load with it.
The matrix acts as a binder for the reinforcement while controlling the physical shape and dimensions of
the part.
Its primary purpose however is to transfer the load, or stress, applied on the part to the reinforcement.
The matrix also protects the reinforcement from adverse environmental effects
Dispersed (reinforcing) phase
The second phase (or phases) is embedded in the matrix in a discontinuous form. This secondary phase is
called dispersed phase.
Dispersed phase is usually stronger than the matrix, therefore it is sometimes called reinforcing phase.
The reinforcement’s function is to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite and is typically
the main load bearing element.
Historical Aspects of Composite Materials:
5
Composite materials are not new. They have been used since antiquity. Wood, straw and
clay have been everyday composites.
Composites have also been used to optimize the performance of some conventional
weapons. For example:
1) In the Mangolian Bows, the compressed parts are made up of horns and the stretched
parts are made up of wood and cow tendons glued together.
2) Damask swords and Japanese sabers have their blades made up of steal and soft iron; the
steal part is stratified like a flaky pastry, with orientations of defects and impurities in the
long direction (as shown in figure), and then formed into U shape into which soft iron is
placed. The sword than has good resistnce for flexure and impact
Composite materials mainly represent an evolution of the science and technology of
materials, since they blend the best properties of several materials resulting from the most
6
up-to-date technologies, which empower them with outstanding physical and mechanical
properties.
The study of composites is a kind of philosophy of materials design aiming at enhancing
both the composition of materials themselves and their structure, thus leading to a
converging and interactive process.
It is both a science and a technology, demanding a strict interaction between different study
subjects, such as design and structural analysis, study of materials, mechanics of materials,
and process engineering.
Currently, composite materials refer to materials containing strong fibers (continuous
or non-continuous) embedded in a matrix. The matric keep the geometric arrangement 7
of fibers and transmits to these fibers the load acting on the composite component.

The resulting composite material is capable of superior performance characteristics.

Fibers and Matrices

The bonding between fibers and matrices is created
during the manufacturing phase of composite materials.
Fibers:
Fibers consists of several hundred and thousands of
filaments, each with diameter between 5 to 15 µm.
These can be short fiber or long fibers.
Principal Fiber Materials: 8
Following are the principal fiber materials:
a) Glass
b) Aramid (Very light)
c) Carbon (High modulus or high strength)
d) Boron(High modulus or high strength)
e) Siicon Carbide (High temperature Resistance)
f) High-density polyethylene
g) Natural fibers (Flax, hemp, sisal etc.)

The assembly of these fibers to make fiber forms for the fabrication of composite material can take the
following forms:
 Unidirectional (Unidirectional tows, yarns, or tapes)
 Bidimentional (Woven or nonwoven fabrics (felts or mats)
 Tridimentional (also called as Multidimentional Fabrics)
Materials for Matrices:
9
Many materials are used as matrix materials.

1) Polymeric Matrix
i) Thermoplastic resins:
Polypropylene (PP), Polyphenylene sulfone (PPS), Polyamide (PA), Polyether ether
ketone (PEEK etc.).
ii) Thermoset resins:
Polyesters, phenolic, melamines, silicones, polyurethanes, epoxies etc.

2) Mineral Matrix:
Silicon carbide, carbon. (They can be used at high temperatures)

3) Metallic Matrix:
Aluminum alloys, titanium alloys
The characteristics of composite materials resulting from the combination of 10
reinforcement and matrix depend on
 The proportions of reinforcements and matrix
 The fabrication process Engineering Materials and Their Applications by Richard A. Flinn, 1990

 The form of the reinforcement

Following Figure represents that how

“form of reinforcement” i.e., geometrical
and spatial characteristics of particles of
the dispersed phase/reinforcement may
influence the properties of composites:
(a) concentration, (b) size, (c) shape, (d)
distribution, and (e) orientation.
Main Features of Composite materials:
11
I. Very hetrogenious
II. Very anisotropic

Important Note:
Many of common materials ( metal alloys, doped ceramics and polymer mixed with additives)
also have a small amount of dispersed phases in their structures, however they are not considered
as composite materials since their properties are similar to those of their base constituents.

Example:
Physical properties of steal are similar to those of pure iron.
Examples of Composite Materials:
12

An example of a composite material is a lightweight

structural composite that is obtained by embedding
continuous carbon fibers in one or more orientations
in a polymer matrix. The fibers provide the strength
and stiffness, while the polymer serves as the binder.

Another example of a composite is concrete, which

is a structural composite obtained by combining
(through mixing) cement (the matrix, i.e., the binder, obtained by a reaction – known as hydration –
between cement and water), sand (fine aggregate), gravel (coarse aggregate), and optionally other
ingredients that are known as admixtures. Short fibers and silica fume (a fine SiO2 particulate) are
examples of admixtures.
Composites and sustainability:
13
Sustainability requires balance and consideration of the followings in order to meet
our needs today without compromising the resources available for future
generations.
a) Economic factors,
b) Human factors,
c) Environmental factors

The place where all three come together is where green becomes golden.
 14
Composite materials are used in more than 40 000 end-use applications in
many large markets like transportation, power and energy.

Macro trends driving more sustainable practices include;

a) Energy use and availability,
b) The effects of climate change and the ever-rising population
c) Consumption of resources.

There is a need for scalable solutions that address these challenges, and
composites can be the answer in a world where demand for sustainable
solutions continues to grow.

Weight reduction is a major factor which can improve energy efficiency and
produce more eco-friendly vehicles that emit less CO2.
 15

ADVANCED COMPOSITE MARKET IS POISED TO

EXCEED $33.44 BILLION BY 2024
Conclusively:
Demand for composite materials continues to rise because composites can be more 16
economical, durable and lighter weight than traditional materials.

Economic

Sustainable Composites Durable

Light weight

They align well with the global trends of sustainability, energy efficiency and water
preservation.
References: 17
Deborah D. L. Chung. 2010. Composite Materials; Science and Applications. 2 nd Ed. Springer London Dordrecht Heidelberg
NewYork, Doi: 0.1007/978-1-84882-831-5.
Gay, Daniel - Composite Materials_ Design and Applications-CRC Press (2014)
Callister Jr W.D. - Materials science and engineering_ An introduction-Wiley (2007)
http://www.substech.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=classification_of_composites 16-04-20 9:00pm

RENÉ de B ORST & TOMASZ SADOWSKI. 2008. Lecture Notes on Composite Materials; Current Topics and Achievements.
Springer London Dordrecht Heidelberg NewYork,

Domenico Brigante, 2014. New Composite Materials; Selection, Design, and Application. Springer London Dordrecht Heidelberg
NewYork,DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-01637-5

F.C. Campbell. 2010. Structural Composite Materials Chapter #1, Copyright © 2010, ASM International®
Fazeli, Mahyar; Florez, Jennifer Paola; Simão, Renata Antoun (April 2019). "Improvement in adhesion of cellulose fibers to the
thermoplastic starch matrix by plasma treatment modification". Composites Part B: Engineering. 163: 207–216.
http://composite.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fpoisson.me.dal.ca%2FDesign_projs%2F96_97%2Fco
mposite%2F on 7/4/20 at 8:00pm
https://sites.google.com/site/advancedmaterialsindustry/advanced-composites-market 27-05-20 9:00pm
https://www.materialstoday.com/composite-industry/features/composites-and-sustainability-when-green-
becomes/ visited on 27-05-20 at 9:pm