Why are composites considered not to be monolithic materials?

The microstructure of a composite is nonuniform, discontinuous, and multiphase, in the sense that it is a mixture
of two or more distinct materials.

What is the definition of a composite?

A composite is a multiphase material that is artificially made and consists of two or more constituent phases
(matrix and reinforcement) that must be chemically dissimilar and separated by a distinct interface.

Give an example of a natural composite.

Wood, which consists of strong and flexible cellulose fibers surrounded and held together by a stiffer material
called lignin.

What is the role of the matrix in a composite?

The matrix is the primary phase within which the other phase is embedded. It transfers load to the
reinforcement, holds the reinforcement in place, and environmentally protects them.

What is the role of the reinforcement in a composite?

The reinforcement is the embedded phase that carries the load and strengthens the composite. It can be classified
according to its geometry, such as shape, size, distribution, and orientation.

What are the four main divisions of composites based on reinforcement geometry?
The four main divisions of composites based on reinforcement geometry are particle-reinforced composites,
fiber-reinforced composites, structural composites, and laminar composites.

What is the dispersed phase in particle-reinforced composites?

The dispersed phase in particle-reinforced composites consists of equiaxed particles, which have approximately
the same dimensions in all directions.

What are the two types of particle-reinforced composites?

The two types of particle-reinforced composites are large particle composites and dispersion strengthened
composites.

What is the strengthening mechanism in dispersion strengthened composites?

The strength and hardness of dispersion strengthened composites are enhanced by the dispersion of extremely
small, uniformly dispersed particles of a second phase within the original phase matrix. This dispersion restricts
the movement of dislocations and strengthens the material.

What are the design goals of fiber-reinforced composites?

The design goals of fiber-reinforced composites often include high strength and/or stiffness on a weight basis,
which is expressed in terms of specific modulus and strength.

Why are composites considered not to be monolithic materials?

The microstructure of a composite is nonuniform, discontinuous, and multiphase, in the sense that it is a mixture
of two or more distinct materials.

What is the definition of a composite?

A composite is a multiphase material that is artificially made and consists of two or more constituent phases
(matrix and reinforcement) that must be chemically dissimilar and separated by a distinct interface.
Give an example of a natural composite.
Wood, which consists of strong and flexible cellulose fibers surrounded and held together by a stiffer material
called lignin.

What is the role of the matrix in a composite?

The matrix is the primary phase within which the other phase is embedded. It transfers load to the
reinforcement, holds the reinforcement in place, and protects them environmentally.

What is the role of the reinforcement in a composite?

The reinforcement is the embedded phase that carries the load and strengthens the composite. It can be classified
according to its geometry, such as shape, size, distribution, and orientation.

What are the four main divisions in the classification of composites depending on
reinforcement geometry?
The four main divisions are particle-reinforced composite, fiber-reinforced composite, structural composite, and
laminar composite.

What is the dispersed phase in particle-reinforced composites?

The dispersed phase in particle-reinforced composites consists of equiaxed particles, which have approximately
the same dimensions in all directions.

What are the two types of particle-reinforced composites?

The two types are large particle composites, where the reinforcement added is not at the atomic/molecular level,
and dispersion strengthened composites, where the reinforcement added is at the atomic/molecular level.

What is the strengthening mechanism in dispersion strengthened composites?

The strength and hardness of dispersion strengthened composites are enhanced by the dispersion of extremely
small, uniformly dispersed particles of a second phase within the original phase matrix. This blocks dislocation
motion and strengthens the material.

What are the design goals of fiber-reinforced composites?

The design goals of fiber-reinforced composites often include high strength and/or stiffness on a weight basis,
which is expressed in specific modulus and strength.

What is the equation for longitudinal direction in a composite material?

𝑬𝒄 (𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈) = 𝑬𝒎 𝑽𝒎 + 𝑬𝒇 𝑽𝒇

What is the equation for the ratio of load carried by fibers and the matrix phase for
longitudinal loading?
Ff Fm = 𝑬𝒇 𝑽𝒇 𝑬𝒎 𝑽𝒎

How is tensile strength defined in a composite material?

Strength is normally taken as the maximum stress on the stress–strain curve (point of composite failure and fiber
fracture).

What is the equation for stress on the matrix at fiber failure in a composite material?
𝝈𝒄𝒍 = 𝝈𝒎 \𝑽𝒎 + 𝝈𝒇 𝑽𝒇

What is the definition of stress in the transverse loading of a composite material?

Stress (isostress): 𝝈𝒄 = 𝝈𝒎 = 𝝈𝒇
What is the equation for strain in the transverse loading of a composite material?
Strain: ℇ𝒄 = ℇ𝒎 𝑽𝒎 + ℇ𝒇 𝑽𝒇

What is the equation for the elasticity modulus in the transverse loading of a
composite material?
𝐸𝑐 (𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒) = 𝐸𝑚 𝐸𝑓 𝐸𝑓 𝑉𝑚 +𝐸𝑚 𝑉𝑓

Why is the transverse tensile strength of a composite material sometimes lower than
the tensile strength of the matrix?
The reinforcing effect of the fibers is negative.

What are the factors that affect the transverse strength of a composite material?
Properties of both the fiber and matrix, the fiber-matrix bond strength, and the presence of voids.

What is the equation for composite strength in the case of L > Lc?
𝝈𝒄𝒅 = 𝝈𝒎 \ 𝑽𝒎 + 𝝈𝒇 𝑽𝒇 (𝟏 − 𝒍𝒄 ) 𝟐𝒍

What is the term used to describe the transfer of energy between adjacent atoms
through atomic bonding?
Vibrational energy

What is a single quantum of vibrational energy called?

Phonon

What is the relationship between heat capacity and temperature for many crystalline
solids at low temperatures?
Cv = A T^3

What is the Debye temperature denoted as?

θD

At high temperatures, what does the heat capacity become essentially independent
of?
Temperature

What is the linear coefficient of thermal expansion used to determine?

Change in length upon heating for a solid material

What is the equation for linear coefficient of thermal expansion?

ΔL = αL.ΔT

What is the volume coefficient of thermal expansion used to determine?

Change in volume upon heating for a solid material

What are the two mechanisms of heat conduction in solids?

Lattice conduction and electron conduction
What is the property that characterizes the ability of a material to transfer heat from
high to low temperature?
Thermal conductivity

What is the term used to describe the transfer of thermal energy between adjacent
atoms through atomic bonding?
The term used to describe the transfer of thermal energy between adjacent atoms through atomic bonding is
lattice heat capacity.

What is a single quantum of vibrational energy called?

A single quantum of vibrational energy is called a phonon.

What is the relationship between heat capacity and temperature for many crystalline
solids at low temperatures?
At low temperatures, the relationship between heat capacity and temperature for many crystalline solids is Cv =
AT^3, where A is a constant.

What is the Debye temperature?

The Debye temperature is the temperature at which the heat capacity of a crystal reaches its maximum value.

What happens to the heat capacity of a crystal at high temperatures?

At high temperatures, the heat capacity of a crystal levels off and becomes essentially independent of
temperature at a value of approximately 3R, where R is the gas constant.

What is the linear coefficient of thermal expansion?

The linear coefficient of thermal expansion is a material property that determines the change in length upon
heating for a solid material.

What is the equation for linear thermal expansion?

The equation for linear thermal expansion is ΔL = αLΔT, where ΔL is the change in length, αL is the linear
coefficient of thermal expansion, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

What is the volume coefficient of thermal expansion?

The volume coefficient of thermal expansion determines the change in volume upon heating for a solid material.

How is thermal energy transported in solid materials?

Thermal energy is transported in solid materials by both lattice vibration waves (phonons) and free electrons.

What is thermal conductivity?

Thermal conductivity is the property that characterizes the ability of a material to transfer heat from high to low
temperature.

What is thermal shock resistance?

The capacity of a material to withstand failure due to rapid change in temperature.

How can thermal shock be prevented?

By altering external conditions to reduce cooling or heating rates and minimize temperature gradients, or by
modifying the thermal and/or mechanical characteristics of the material.
What can be easily changed and controlled to improve thermal shock
characteristics?
The coefficient of thermal expansion.

What are some ways to improve thermal shock resistance?

By improving the mechanical properties of the material during manufacturing, controlling external thermal
factors, or by creating voids to reduce thermal expansion or adding supporting materials with low thermal
expansion coefficient.

What is the formula for thermal shock resistance?

TSR = σf.k/EαL

What is TSR?
TSR stands for Thermal Shock Resistance.

What is the significance of TSR?

TSR measures the ability of a material to withstand failure under rapid temperature changes.

How can the thermal shock characteristics of a material be improved?

By introducing relatively large pores or a ductile second phase.

What is the purpose of altering external conditions to prevent thermal shock?

To reduce cooling or heating rates and minimize temperature gradients across a body.

What is the role of the coefficient of thermal expansion in thermal shock resistance?
It can be easily changed and controlled to improve the thermal shock characteristics of a material.

What is thermal shock resistance?

The capacity of a material to withstand failure due to rapid change in temperature.

How can thermal shock be prevented?

By altering external conditions to reduce cooling or heating rates and minimize temperature gradients across a
body, or by modifying the thermal and/or mechanical characteristics of the material.

What can be easily changed and controlled to improve thermal shock

characteristics?
The coefficient of thermal expansion.

What are some ways to improve thermal shock resistance?

By improving the mechanical properties of the material during manufacturing, controlling external thermal
factors, or by creating voids to reduce thermal expansion or adding support materials with low thermal
expansion coefficients.

What is the formula for thermal shock resistance?

TSR = σf.k/EαL

What is TSR?
TSR stands for Thermal Shock Resistance.
What is the significance of thermal shock resistance?
It determines the ability of a material to withstand sudden temperature changes without failure.

What factors can affect thermal shock resistance?

Cooling or heating rates, temperature gradients, and the thermal and mechanical characteristics of the material.

How can the thermal shock characteristics of a material be improved?

By enhancing its mechanical properties during the manufacturing process, controlling external thermal
conditions, or by introducing voids or support materials with low thermal expansion coefficients.

What is the role of the coefficient of thermal expansion in thermal shock resistance?
It can be easily changed and controlled to improve the thermal shock characteristics of a material.