POLYMER MATRIX

z COMPOSITES
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DEFINITION OF PMC
▪ A polymer matrix composite (PMC) is a composite material
composed of a variety of short or continuous fibers bound
together by a matrix of organic polymers. PMCs are designed
to transfer loads between fibers of a matrix.
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Classification of Polymer Matrix Composite based

on fabrication of composites material:

▪ Thermoplastic

▪ Thermosets

▪ Elastomer
 THERMOSETS
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▪ Thermoset materials are usually liquid or malleable prior to curing, and
designed to be molded into their final form.⚫

▪ Has the property of undergoing a chemical reaction by the action of heat,

catalyst, ultraviolet light, etc., to become a relatively insoluble and
infusible substance

▪ They develop a well-bonded three-dimensional structure upon curing.

Once hardened or cross-linked, they will decompose rather than melt.

▪ Thermoset materials are generally stronger than thermoplasticmaterials

due to this 3-D network of bonds, and are also bettersuited to high-
temperature applications up to the decompositiontemperature of the
material.

▪ Example : Epoxies
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THERMOPLASTIC

▪ A thermoplastic is a class of polymer that can be softened through heating

and then processed using methods such as extrusion, injection moulding,
thermoforming and blow moulding.

▪ Thermoplastics harden once cooled and do not show any changes in

chemical property after them easily recyclable. Being heated and cooled
multiple times, makingAmorphous and Semi-crystalline Thermoplastics.

▪ Example: Nylon and Teflon.

z Elastomer

▪ Elastomers are polymers that have viscosity and elasticity and

therefore are known as viscoelasticity. The molecules of
elastomers are held together by weak intermolecular forces and
generally exhibit low Young’s modulus and high yield strength or
high failure strain. They inherit the unique property of regaining
their original shape and size after being significantly stretched.

▪ Example : Natural rubber: These are used in the automotive

industry and in the manufacture of medical tubes, balloons,
adhesives.

▪ Polyurethanes: These are used in the textile industry for

manufacturing elastic clothing like lycra.
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TYPES OF PMC

Polymer matrix composites are classified based on their level of strength and
stiffness into two distinct types:

•Reinforced plastics

•Advanced Composite
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REINFORCED PLASTICS:

Reinforced plastics confers additional strength by adding

embedded fibrous matter into plastics

Commonly used fibres are glass, carbon, aramid Or basalt.

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EXAMPLES OF GLASS FIBERS:
TROLLEYS
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Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)
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Examples for aramid fiber
z Examples of basalt fiber
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ADVANCED COMPOSITES

▪ Advanced Composites consists of fibre and matrix combinations that

facilitate strength and superior stiffness. They mostly contain high-
performance continuous fibres such as high-stiffness glass (S-glass),
graphite, aramid, or other organic fibres .

▪ Advanced composite materials are strong, lightweight, engineered

materials consisting of high-performance reinforcing fibres embedded
in a toughened polymeric matrix, to form a ply or lamina.
z Examples of advanced composite
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PROPERTIES OF A PMC:

▪ Matrix - This is the polymer, which is a continuous phase and is

classified as the weak link in a PMC structure.

▪ Reinforcement - This is a discontinuous phase and is a principal

load-bearing component. It can either be glass, quartz, basalt, or
carbon fibre.

▪ Interphase - The interphase between the reinforcement and

matrix phases where load transmission takes place.
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Production of polymer matrix composites

▪ The fabrication processes include :

▪ Hand lay-up

▪ Vacuum moulding

▪ Spray lay-up

▪ Pultrusion

▪ Resin transfer moulding (RTM)

▪ Filament winding
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PULTRUSION : FABRICATION OF PMC