Chapter 7: Composite

Materials
Materials Technology (SEMM3622)

Photo by G-R Mottez on Unsplash

Look Versatility
Weight Why Composites Strength

AHMY 2
Learning Outcomes

Use rule-of-mixture
Define composites
and the inverse rule- Describe composite
materials and explain
of-mixture to explain materials
the role of matrix,
the anisotropic nature manufacturing
reinforcement and
off fibre reinforced processes
their interface
composites

AHMY 3
 Introduction
• Composites materials involve some combination of two or more
components from the fundamental structural material types:
metals, ceramics,
glasses, and polymers. and the materials differ in form,
composition, properties (physical and mechanical) and do not
form a solution. Example: Carbon
fibre reinforced
• They provide attractive polymer (CFRP).
properties from each Polymer provides
lightweight, CFs
component. (ceramics) provide
stiffness & strength
AHMY 4
Introduction
Example: Glass Fibre Reinforced
Polymer (GFRP)
• Many composite materials Polyester – matrix
are composed of just two (holding / binding
the reinforcements)
phases; one is termed the
matrix, which is
continuous and surrounds
the other phase, often
called the
reinforcement /dispersed
Glass fibres –to
phase. reinforce the matrix

AHMY 5
Matrix & Reinforcement
• The matrix and the reinforcement are
different in structure and/or chemical
Example: Carbon-carbon composites
composition.
Carbon fibre
• They are essentially insoluble in each other. (reinforcement)
• They have a clear interface separating
them.
• Functions of the matrix are:
• The matrix protects the reinforcement
phase (e.g. fibers, particles) from
Interface between
mechanical damage. matrix and Carbon matrix
• Act as main support for the composite reinforcement

• The matrix also transfer stress to

dispersed phase (the reinforcing phase) AHMY 6
Classification of Composite Materials

Composites

Fibre Particle
Structure
Reinforced Reinforced

Micro / nano Sandwich

Large particle Long Fibre Short Fibre Laminates
particles Panel

AHMY 7
Large Particle Reinforcement

• Example: Concrete is a common large-particle composite in

which both matrix and dispersed phases are ceramic
materials.
• Concrete is a composite material consisting of an aggregate
of particles (reinforcement) that are bound together by
cement (matrix phase).

AHMY 8
Large Particle Reinforcement

Large aggregates hold

together by cement as the
matrix
AHMY 9
 Steel is a good Steel can form
reinforcement for strong adhesive
cement due to their bond is formed
similarity in between it and the
thermal expansion cured concrete

Steel do not rapidly

corroded in the
cement
environment
Fibre Reinforced Composites

The properties of
composites can also be
tailored to meet different
loading requirement.

AHMY 11
AHMY 12
Polymer-matrix fiber reinforced composites
• consist of different types of organic polymers which form the continuous phase
(matrix) with reinforced fibers as the dispersed phase (reinforcement element)
• The main function of the polymers as the matrix is to protect the fiber phase and
act as the main support of the composite.
• Desired mechanical characteristics of matrix and fiber phases are:

Matrix phase Fiber phase

Should be able to withstand temperature Should possess higher stress and modulus

Should be able to absorb impact and stress Should be a light-weight material

AHMY 13
Polymer-matrix fiber reinforced composites

• There must be a strong bond between fiber and matrix at their interface.
• The interface should be very strong as the stresses have to be transmitted
from the matrix to the reinfoecement phase (fiber).
• Besides, the interface should be strong to:
• To prevent any defect such as corrosion.
• To became as one bulk materials (Polymer-matrix composite)
• To completely absorb any impact and distribute heat evenly
• Strong interface will also prevent reinforcement phase (fibre) from
dislodging off (displace/remove) theAHMY
matrix. 14
Calculating Elastic Modulus of
Longitudinal Composite – Isostrain Condition

Fiber
𝑙𝑐 • The load on the composite
structure is equal to the sum of
𝑃 𝑐 = 𝑃𝑚 + 𝑃 𝑓 the load on the fibre layers
plus the load on the matrix
layers
(1)
• Note that
When this material is loaded in the longitudinal direction
of the fibers, the fibers and the matrix experience
the same strain: an Iso-strain situation. AHMY 15
Calculating Elastic Modulus of
Longitudinal Composite – Isostrain Condition
• Equation (1) can be written as,
(2)
• Since the lengths of the layers of matrix and fibre are equal (assume that
the fiber length is projected along the length of the composite), the areas
can be replaced to volume fraction.

here is
the volume

here is the
volume fraction.
(3) … = , =
(devide all volume
AHMY 16
with
Calculating Elastic Modulus of
Longitudinal Composite – Isostrain Condition
Isostrain
𝜀𝑐 =𝜀𝑚 =𝜀 𝑓 • Note that eqn. (3) becomes
𝑙𝑐

𝑃 𝑐 = 𝑃𝑚 + 𝑃 𝑓• Since all strains are equal,

• This equation is known as the

rule of mixtures for binary
composites.

AHMY 17
Calculating Elastic Modulus of
Longitudinal Composite – Isostrain Condition
• It can also be shown, for longitudinal loading, that the ratio
of the load carried by the fibres to that carried by the matrix
is

AHMY 18
 Exercise
• A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) is formed from a matrix (65%) and 35% fiber reinforcement. (Given the
Elastic Modulus of matrix is = 400 GPa while that of the fiber is = 250 GPa, Fracture Toughness of the matrix is
= 4.2 MPa.m^(1/2) while fracture toughness of fiber = 5.3 MPa.m^(1/2), Assume Y = 1).
• (i) In the iso-strain condition, calculate the tensile modulus of the composite

• Answer

• By applying rule of mixture, , for isostrain condition

• (vol.%)
• 250(0.35)
• 250(0.35)
• = 347.5 GPa

AHMY 19
• (ii) If a load of 5.6 x N is applied, what is the elastic strain in the composite? Assume the surface area, A is
40 .

• Answer:
•
Must convert
the composite
• Given , = 0.004 area to

• Find = 1400 x Pa.

• = m/m
The used unit must be true.
347.5 GPa is convert to to avoid mistake
and for the ease of calculation
AHMY 20
• (iii) If the matrix has an internal crack of 10 µm and the largest surface notch of the fibers is 6 µm, compute the
stress level at which fracture will occur for both critical crack and notch ?
• Answer:
• From the question, the internal crack length, 2a = 10 µm (so a = 5 µm )for the matrix, while the notch (crack at the side
edge) is a = 6 µm for the fibre.

Using the fracture toughness formula : , and the values are already given for both fibre and matrix in the question.
Calculate the = for both fibre and matrix
= = = 3351 x Pa

= = 3860 x Pa

AHMY 21
Examples of Other Type of Reinforcements

Carbon nanotube Kevlar Fibre

SiC Particle

Boron Nitride Fibre

AHMY 22
Summary

• A composite material with respect to materials science and

engineering can be defined as a materials system composed
of a mixture or combination of two or more micro- or
macroconstituents that differ in form and chemical
composition and are essentially insoluble in each other.

AHMY 23
Thank You