FIBER, MATRIX PROPERTIES and

FIBER REINFORCED PROPERTIES

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 What is a
COMPOSITE MATERIAL?
COMPOSITE
It is a materials system composed of
a suitably arranged mixture or

MATERIAL combination of two or more micro or

macro constituents that differ in
structure and/or chemical
composition, are essentially insoluble
in each other, and have a clear
interface separating them.
 Classification of
Composite Materials

Reinforcement
Phase Matrix
Phase
 REINFORCEMENT PHASE
FIBER
• Size in the micron scale
(10−6 m)
• Anisotropic
• have very small diameters
with short (chopped) or long
(continuous) lengths.
• Examples : glass fibers,
graphite fibers, or aramid
fibers
• Individual fibers are
generally stronger and stiffer
than conventional bulk metal
alloys
NANO
PARTICULATE
REINFORCEMENT
• Size in the micron or
macro scale • Size in the nano scale
• normally isotropic and (10−9 m)
have various sizes • The reinforcement
and shapes has dimensions below
• Examples: gravel and 100 nm and could be
sand a metal or a ceramic.
A composite may be called
• FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE
• PARTICLE-REINFORCED
COMPOSITE
• NANOCOMPOSITE.
Another way of classifying composites is based on the nature of the matrix.
The matrix that houses the reinforcement phase could be a polymer, a
metal, or a ceramic, in which case the resulting materials are called
• POLYMER MATRIX
• METAL MATRIX
• CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

Composite materials are generally a mixture of two or more phases, they

are heterogeneous materials (unlike pure metals that are considered
homogeneous).
 FIBERS FOR
REINFORCED-PLASTIC
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
 FIBERS FOR
REINFORCED-PLASTIC
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
02
01 CARBON
GLASS FIBERS
FIBERS 03
ARAMID
FIBERS
 GLASS FIBERS
for Reinforcing Plastic Resins
GLASS FIBERS for Reinforcing Plastic Resins
Glass fibers are used to reinforce plastic matrixes to
form structural composites and molding compounds.
Glass-fiber-plastic composite materials have the
following:

• High strength-to-weight ratio (specific strength)

• Good dimensional stability

• Good resistance to heat, cold, moisture, and

corrosion

• Good electrical insulation properties

GLASS FIBER is a material
• Ease of fabrication consisting of numerous
• Relatively low cost
extremely fine fibers of
glass.
The two MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF GLASS
used to produce glass fibers for composites
are:
E (electrical)
S (high-strength) glasses

• Has a higher strength-to-
weight ratio
• More expensive than E glass
• Used primarily for military
and aerospace applications.
• Tensile strength: over 650 ksi
(4.48 GPa)
• Modulus of elasticity: 12.4
Msi (85.4 GPa)
S GLASS
THIS IS A MAP
E GLASS
• The most commonly used glass
for continuous fibers.
S GLASS has a much
higher tensile strength • Lime-aluminum-borosilicate
glass with zero or low sodium
and elastic modulus as
and potassium levels.
well as about 10% greater
stiffness • Tensile Strength: 500 ksi (3.44
GPa) in the virgin condition
• Modulus of Elasticity: 10.5 Msi
(72.3 GPa).
PRODUCTION OF GLASS FIBERS
and
TYPES OF FIBERGLASS-
REINFORCING MATERIALS
Glass Fibers are produced by drawing
monofilaments of glass from a furnace
containing molten glass and gathering
large number of these filaments to form a
strand of glass fibers.
- The strands then are used to make
glass-fiber yarns or rovings that
consist of a collection of bundles of
continuous filaments.
- The rovings may be in continuous
strands or woven to make woven
roving.
(a) Continuous-strand Mat
(b) Surfacing Mat
(c) Chopped-strand Mat
(d) Combination of woven
roving and chopped-
strand mat
 PROPERTIES of Glass Fibers

The tensile properties and density of E-glass fibers compared to those of carbon and aramid fibers.
 CARBON FIBERS
for Reinforcing Plastic Resins
CARBON FIBERS for Reinforcing Plastic Resins

Composite materials made by using carbon

fibers for reinforcing plastic resin matrixes
such as epoxy are characterized by having
a combination of LIGHT WEIGHT, VERY
HIGH STRENGTH, AND HIGH
STIFFNESS.

Carbon fibers for these composites are

produced mainly from two sources:
○ polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
○ pitch
Carbon fiber is made of thin,
strong crystalline filaments of
carbon that is used to strengthen
material.

Pitch is a viscoelastic material
that is composed of aromatic
hydrocarbons. Pitch is produced
via the distillation of carbon-
based materials, such as plants,
crude oil, and coal.
PITCH
POLYACRYLONITRILE
This acrylic-type polymeric material is
often used in the form of fibers, and
because of its strength and chemical
stability, it is also used as a
comonomer for some engineering
thermoplastics.
• The carbon fibers produced from
PAN precursor material have a
tensile strength that ranges from
about 450 to 650 ksi (3.10 to 4.45
MPa) and a modulus of elasticity that
ranges from about 28 to 35 Msi (193
to 241 GPa).

• Higher-moduli fibers have lower

tensile strengths, and vice versa.
 ARAMID FIBERS
for Reinforcing Plastic Resins
ARAMID FIBERS for Reinforcing Plastic Resins

Aramid fiber is the generic name for aromatic

polyamide fibers.

Introduced commercially in 1972 by Du Pont under the

trade name of Kevlar, and at the present time there are
two commercial types: Kevlar 29 and 49.

• KEVLAR 29 - characterized by a low density

and high strength and modulus

• KEVLAR 49 – its properties makes its fibers

useful as reinforcement for plastics in
composites for aerospace, marine, Aramid fibers are a class of
automotive, and other industrial applications. heat-resistant and strong
synthetic fibers.
These fibers have high strength in the longitudinal The chemical repeating unit of the Kevlar

direction and weak strength in the transverse polymer chain is that of an aromatic

direction. The aromatic ring structure gives high polyamide. Hydrogen bonding holds the

rigidity to the polymer chains, causing them to have a polymer chains together in the transverse

rodlike structure. direction.

Kevlar aramid is used for high-performance composite

applications where light weight, high strength and
stiffness, damage resistance, and resistance to fatigue
and stress rupture are important. Of special interest is
that Kevlar-epoxy material is used for various parts of
the space shuttle.
Comparison of Mechanical Properties of
Carbon, Aramid, and Glass Fibers for
Reinforced-Plastic Composite Materials

The CARBON FIBERS provide the best combination of high

strength, high stiffness (high modulus), and low density.

The ARAMID FIBER Kevlar 49 has a combination of high

strength, high modulus.

The GLASS FIBERS have lower strengths and moduli and

higher densities.

The S-GLASS FIBERS have higher strengths and

elongations than the E-glass fibers.

Because the glass fibers are much less costly, they are more
widely used.
They are light as well as strong. By choosing an appropriate combination of matrix and reinforcement
material, a composite can be made that exactly meets the requirements of a particular application.
They provide design flexibility because many of them can be molded into complex shapes.
The most applicable properties of composite materials include
• High stiffness and high strength
• High Young's modulus
• High fatigue strength, especially at elevated temperatures
• High corrosion resistance
• Low density
• High thermal and electrical conductivity
• High wear resistance

Why use a
COMPOSITE?
Matrices and Reinforcements
Matrix is a relatively ‘soft’ phase with specific physical and mechanical properties,
i.e., ductility, formability, and thermal conductivity. In the matrix, ‘hard’
reinforcements with high strength, high stiffness, and low thermal expansions are
embedded.

Composites are demonstrated by two or more phases, one of which is stronger and
stiffer than the others and serves as the primary load-carrying component.
 What is a
MATRIX?
 What is a MATRIX?
The purpose of the matrix is to bind the reinforcements together by virtue of its
cohesive and adhesive characteristics, to transfer load to and between
reinforcements, and to protect the reinforcements from environments and handling. It
PROVIDES A SOLID FORM TO THE COMPOSITE.

Because the reinforcements are typically stronger and stiffer, the matrix is often the
‘weak link’ in the composite, from a structural perspective.
Matrix and reinforcement dictate the
performance of a composite depending on:
• Physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of matrix and
reinforcement
• Size and distribution of constituents
• Morphology of constituents
• Interface between constituents
 TYPES OF MATRICES
Polymer Matrix Ceramic Matrix Metal–matrix
Composites (PMC) Composites (CMC) composites (MMC)
PMCs are composed of a
thermoset or CMCs are composed of a
thermoplastic matrix ceramic matrix (i.e., SiC, MMCs are the most
embedded in dispersed Al2O3, SiN) and widely used composites
reinforcement phases, embedded fibers of other in the industrial scale.
i.e., carbon, glass, metal, ceramic materials.
Kevlar fibers.
METAL MATRIX
COMPOSITES
What are metal matrix composites?
The MMCs are composed of a continuous metallic matrix (i.e., aluminum,
magnesium, copper, titanium) and a reinforcement phase which can be either
dispersed ceramics (i.e., oxides, carbides) or metallic phases (i.e., tungsten,
molybdenum, lead) that constitutes a few percent to around 50% of the total volume
of the material.

Classification of MMCs based on the matrix material :

• Aluminum-based composites; aluminum as matrix can be either cast alloy or wrought alloy (i.e.,
AlMgSi, AlMg, AlCuSiMn, AlZnMgCu, AlCu, AlSiCuMg)
• Magnesium-based composites
• Titanium-based composites
• Copper-based composites
• Super alloy-based composites
Aluminum–matrix composites
- Are the most commonly studied MMC
- This is mainly due to its unique properties like greater strength, improved
stiffness, reduced density, improved temperature properties, controlled thermal
expansion, and improved wear resistance
- One of the constituents is an aluminum/aluminum alloy (i.e., Al–Si, Al–Cu, Al–Si–
Mg alloys), forms percolating network, and is termed as matrix phase.
- Other constituent is embedded in this aluminum/aluminum alloy matrix and
serves as reinforcement, which is usually non-metallic and common ceramic
such as SiC, Al2O3, C, B, B4C, AlN, and BN
Magnesium–matrix composites
- Have similar advantages, but due to limitations in fabrication and lower
thermal conductivity, they are not widely used as compared with
aluminum-based MMCs.
In terms of thermal conductivity and high-temperature
strength properties, copper–matrix composites are
superior compared with other MMCs.

The applications encompass resistance welding

electrodes, lead frames, and electrical connectors.
Titanium Based Metal Matrix Composites
(Ti-MMCs)
- They provide an outstanding mixture of stiffness, specific strength,
fatigue, and creep resistance at elevated temperatures

- The primary application for superalloy matrix composites is gas

turbine blades.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of
METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Higher temperature capabilities • Higher-end cost
• Better radiation resistance • Relatively immature technology
• Higher transverse stiffness and • Complex fabrication methods
strength
• Less moisture absorption
• Higher thermal and electrical
conductivity
• Better process-ability
• Less outgassing
• Higher fire resistance
CERAMIC MATRIX
COMPOSITES
Why use Ceramic Matrix Composites?
Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are a relatively young
class of composite materials in comparison to other established
structural materials or monolithic ceramics. A fiber reinforcement
within a ceramic matrix is applied to prevent brittle fracture and
subcritical crack growth.

Monolithic ceramics show a

catastrophic failure behavior
with a sudden break in the
elastic region.

Monolithic ceramic resistors

A ceramic matrix composite uses reinforcement primarily
to improve the fracture toughness of a ceramic material.
CMC materials
Allow lightweight designs of components for corrosive
and/or high-temperature environments.

Example: for thermal protection systems of spacecraft, kiln

furniture, gas turbines, or high-performance friction
applications.
 Classifications of Ceramic Matrix Composites
The classification of CMCs according to their main constituents fibers and matrix results in
two classes:
• Non-oxide CMC (e.g., C/C, C/C-SiC, C/SiC, SiC/SiC).
• Oxide CMCs (abbreviated Ox/Ox, OCMC, or OFC, e.g., Al2O3/Al2O3).

Non-oxide CMCs Ox/Ox composites

show a very low creep rate at are inherently stable in air and are
high temperatures, thus are oxidation-resistant materials up to
suitable materials for highly 1100C. In comparison to non-oxide
stressed components at CMCs, they show a lower mass-
temperatures even exceeding specific strength level because of
1100C. their higher density (about 3 g/cm³)
and their lower mechanical
properties.
POLYMER MATRIX
COMPOSITES
What are Polymer Matrix Composites?
Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are the reinforcement in a
polymer matrix composite provides strength and stiffness that are
lacking in the matrix.
They are designed so that the mechanical loads to which the
structure is subjected in service are supported by the reinforcement.

PMCs are often divided
into two categories:
• reinforced plastics
• advanced composites
The distinction is based on the
level of mechanical properties
(usually strength and stiffness)
Reinforced plastics
- Relatively inexpensive, typically
consist of polyester resins
reinforced with low-stiffness glass
fibers (E-glass).
Advanced composites
- Consist of fiber and matrix
combinations that yield superior
strength and stiffness.
- Relatively expensive and typically
contain a large percentage of high-
performance continuous fibers, such
as high-stiffness glass (S-glass),
graphite, aramid, or other organic
fibers.
 CONSTITUENTS OF POLYMER MATRIX
COMPOSITES
The matrix properties determine the resistance of the PMC to
most of the degradative processes that eventually cause the
failure of the structure. These processes include impact damage,
delamination, water absorption, chemical attack, and high-
temperature creep. Thus, the matrix is typically the weak link in
the PMC structure.
The matrix phase of commercial
PMCs can be classified as either
THERMOSET or
THERMOPLASTIC
THERMOSETS
Thermosetting resins include polyesters, vinylesters, epoxies,
bismaleimides, and polyamides.

Thermosetting polyesters are commonly used in fiber-reinforced plastics,

and epoxies make up most of the current market for advanced composites
resins.

Initially, the viscosity of these resins is low; however, thermoset resins

undergo chemical reactions that crosslink the polymer chains and thus
connect the entire matrix together in a three-dimensional network.

Thermoses, because of their three-dimensional crosslinked structure, tend

to have high dimensional stability, high-temperature resistance, and good
resistance to solvents.
THERMOPLASTICS
Thermoplastic resins, sometimes called engineering plastics, include some
polyesters, poly - etherimide, polyamide imide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether-
etherketone (PEEK), and liquid crystal polymers.

They consist of long, discrete molecules that melt to a viscous liquid at the processing
temperature, and, after forming, are cooled to an amorphous, semicrystalline, or
crystalline solid

Unlike the curing process of thermosetting resins, the processing of thermoplastics is

reversible, and, by simply reheating to the process temperature, the resin can be
formed into another shape if desired.

Thermoplastics, although generally inferior to thermoses in high-temperature strength

and chemical stability, are more resistant to cracking and impact damage.
Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites
The properties of the PMC depend on the matrix, the reinforcement, and the
interphase. Consequently, there

These include not only the types of matrix and reinforcement but also their relative
proportions, the geometry of the reinforcement, and the nature of the interphase.

The use of continuous-fiber reinforcement confers a directional character, called

anisotropy.

PMCs are strongest when stressed parallel to the direction of the fibers (0°, axial, or
longitudinal, direction) and weakest when stressed perpendicular to the fibers (90°,
transverse direction).

In practice, most structures are subjected to complex loads, necessitating the use of
fibers oriented in several directions (e.g., 0, ±45, 90°).
When discontinuous fibers or particles are used for reinforcement,
the properties tend to be more isotropic

Such PMCs lack the outstanding strength of continuous-fiber

PMCs, but they can be produced more cheaply, using the
technologies developed for unreinforced plastics, such as
extrusion, injection molding, and compression molding.
FIBER REINFORCED
PROPERTIES
 Chemical
Are material characteristics that relate to
the structure of a material and its formation
from our elements. These properties are
usually measured in a chemical laboratory,
and they cannot be determined by visual
observation.
 Composition
This property can be determined by
analytical chemistry techniques. The
composition of a polymer consists of the
chemical notation of the monomer with an
indication of the chain length (number
average molecular weight):
Volume Fraction of reinforcement
Defined as the ratio of volume occupied by the
reinforcement to the total bulk volume and is the
complement of porosity
Chemical Resistance
Chemical resistance can be defined as
the ability of a substance to endure itself
from chemical attack for a specific
period of time. Therefore, materials with
high chemical resistance are less likely
to corrode.
 Physical
Are characteristics of materials that pertain to
the interaction of these materials with various
forms. In essence, they pertain to the science
of physics. They can usually be measured
without destroying or changing the material. The
material does not have to be changed or
destroyed to measure this property.
Melting point glass transition
Glass transition temperature helps determine various
flexible and rigid applications for a material. Melting point
also known as melt temperature is the critical temperature
above which the crystalline regions in a semicrystalline
plastic are able to flow.
 Magnetic
Magnetism is the power to attract. It
refers to the attraction to iron and other
metals in electric currents and
magnets.
 Electrical
Electrical properties are their ability to
conduct electrical current. Various
electrical properties are resistivity,
Electrical conductivity, temperature
coefficient of resistance, dielectric
strength and thermoelectricity.
 Optical
The optical properties of a
material define how it interacts
with light.
 Acoustic
Acoustical properties are those that govern
how materials respond to sound waves,
which are what we perceive as sound.
 Gravimetric
Gravimetric analysis is a class of lab
techniques used to determine the mass or
concentration of a substance by
measuring a change in mass.
 Color
color property - an attribute of color
 Mechanical
Are the characteristics of a material that are
displayed when a force is applied to the material.
They usually relate to the elastic or plastic
behavior of the material, and they often require
the destruction of the material for measurement.
The term mechanical is applied to this category of
properties because they are usually used to
indicate the suitability of a material for use in
mechanical applications-parts that carry a load,
absorb shock, resist wear, and the like.
Tensile/Compressive
Tensile stress is a quantity associated with
stretching or tensile forces.

Compressive stress is the opposite of

tensile stress. An object experiences a
compressive stress when a squeezing force
is applied on the object. So, an object
subjected to a compressive stress is
shortened.
Fracture Toughness
Fracture toughness refers to a property
which describes the ability of a material
containing a crack to resist further
fracture. Fracture toughness is a
quantitative way of expressing a
material's resistance to brittle fracture
when a crack is present.
Creep Resistance
Creep resistance is a term that refers to a
solid material's ability to resist “creep,”
which refers to the tendency of a material
to slowly deform over a long period of
exposure to high levels of stress.
 Reinforcement
Reinforcement material is added to the
matrix material to enhance the physical
properties of the final composite material.
 Orientation
Fiber orientation refers to the optimal
structural arrangement of individual fibers
in the development and manufacture of
advanced composite materials (ACM) and
fiber-reinforced composites (FRC).
IDENTIFICATION OF FIBER
ORIENTATION
FIBER ORIENTATION
refers to the optimal structural arrangement of
individual fibers in the development and manufacture
of advanced composite materials (ACM) and fiber-
reinforced composites (FRC).
TYPES OF FIBER
ORIENTATION
• Unidirectional
• multi-directional
• Bidirectional / crossed
• random
UNIDIRECTIONAL FIBER
A unidirectional fiber is in one direction
only. Unidirectionals usually have their
primary fibres in the 0° direction (along
the roll a warp UD) but can also have
them at 90° to the roll length (a weft
UD).
MULTI DIRECTIONAL FIBER
A multidirectional fiber is equal in strength in
any X, Y and Z direction that the force is
applied.
BIDIRECTIONAL/CROSSED
A crossed fiber is equal in strength in any X
and Y axis direction that the force is applied.
RANDOM FIBER
Incorporate short fibers and
has a moderate strength only
FIBER LENGTH
• Fiber Length are characterized by their
aspect ration (fiber length divided by fiber
diameter)
• Length of short fiber – 10 to 50 mm
• Length of long fiber – above 50mm
THERMOPLASTIC FIBERS
• Short Fibre Thermoplastics (SFT) - 0.2-0.9mm
• Long Fibre Thermoplastics (LFT) - 10-15mm
LONG FIBER vs SHORT FIBER
• Long fiber composites when an external stress is
applied to the part, the energy is transferred to the 3-
dimensional structure and distributed over a wider
area. They combine high levels of stiffness, strength,
and toughness together in a single material.
• Issues arising from an-isotropic shrinkage are
negated giving LFT the ability to mould dimensionally
stable parts in simple and complex geometries alike.
 Reference:
Foundations of Materials Science and
Engineering 6th Ed.
William F. Smith

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