Advantages And Disadvantages Of Composite Materials

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. COMPOSITE MATERILAS

Composite materials are engineered materials made from two or more constituent’s material with significantly different physical and chemical properties in such a way that the resulting material has certain desired or improved properties. One constituent is called the reinforcing phase and the one in which is embedded called the matrix. The reinforcing phase material may be in the form of fibers, flask or particles. The matrix materials are continuous. By combining these two materials in the right way, it is possible to design a composite of mechanical properties and functional characteristics. Monolithic metals and their alloys cannot always meet the demands of today’s advanced technologies. Only by combining several materials can one meet the performance requirements.

1.1.1. CLASSIFICATION

Composite materials are commonly classified into following two distinct levels

1.1.1.1 classification based on matrix constituent

1.1.1.2 Classification based on reinforcement form

1.1.1.1. Classification based on matrix constituent

1. Metal Matrix Composites (MMC)

Metal matrix composites are composed of a metallic matrix (aluminum, magnesium, iron, cobalt, copper) and a dispersed ceramic (oxides, carbides) or metallic (lead, tungsten, molybdenum) phase.

2. Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)

Ceramic matrix composites are composed of a ceramic matrix and embedded fibers of other ceramic material (dispersed phase).

3. Polymer Matrix