Polymer matrix composites are used extensively across a wide range of industries, making the design and development of effective manufacturing processes of great importance. Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of this class of composite.Following an introduction to composites and manufacturing processes, part one reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth. Thermoplastic processing is the focus of part two. Sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles are investigated. Part three reviews thermoset processing. A survey of resin transfer molding follows, including vacuum-assisted and compression resin transfer molding. The pultrusion process is then considered, before the book concludes with an investigation into autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing processes in polymer matrix composites.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) is an essential guide for engineers and scientists working in the field of polymer matrix composites. - Provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of polymer matrix composites - Reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle-based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth - Examines thermoplastic processing, sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles

Polymer matrix composites are used extensively across a wide range of industries, making the design and development of effective manufacturing processes of great importance. Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of this class of composite. Following an introduction to composites and manufacturing processes, part one reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth. Thermoplastic processing is the focus of part two. Sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles are investigated. Part three reviews thermoset processing. A survey of resin transfer molding follows, including vacuum-assisted and compression resin transfer molding. The pultrusion process is then considered, before the book concludes with an investigation into autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing processes in polymer matrix composites. With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) is an essential guide for engineers and scientists working in the field of polymer matrix composites.

This book offers an insight into the primary and secondary manufacturing of different class of polymer matrix composites (PMCs). The major focus is on the fabrication of a variety of PMCs with substantial coverage of various processing techniques and related advantages and limitations. The book also describes secondary manufacturing processes such as machining and joining of PMCs and provides the know-how related to developing these techniques. It discusses recently commercialized tools and techniques and highlights the opportunities provided by the design and development of newer cutting tools and machining methods. The book covers material selection guidelines, product manufacturability, product development process, and cost-estimating techniques that help readers to understand where a process fits within the overall scheme and which is appropriate for a particular component. This book provides professionals with valuable information related to composites product manufacturing as well as state-of-the-art knowledge in this field.

This report identifies research conducted by agencies of the federal government other than the Department of Energy (DOE) in the area of advanced polymer matrix composites (PMCs). DOE commissioned the report to avoid duplicating other agencies' efforts in planning its own research program for PMCs. PMC materials consist of high-strength, short or continuous fibers fused together by an organic matrix. Compared to traditional structural metals, PMCs provide greater strength and stiffness, reduced weight and increased heat resistance. The key contributors to PMC research identified by the survey are the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The survey identified a total of 778 projects. More than half of the total projects identified emphasize materials research with a goal toward developing materials with improved performance. Although an almost equal number of identified materials projects focus on thermosets and thermoplastics receive more attention because of their increased impact resistance and their easy formability and re-formability. Slightly more than one third of projects identified target structures research. Only 15 percent of the projects identified focus on manufacturing techniques, despite the need for efficient, economical methods manufacturing products constructed of PMCs--techniques required for PMCs to gain widespread acceptance. Three issues to be addressed concerning PMCs research are economy of use, improvements in processing, and education and training. Five target technologies have been identified that could benefit greatly from increased use of PMCs: aircraft fuselages, automobile frames, high-speed machinery, electronic packaging, and construction.

Polymer matrix composites are finding increasing number of applications due to their high weight-saving potential as well as unique characteristics, such as high strength-to-density ratio, fatigue resistance, high damping factor, and freedom from corrosion. While many textbooks are available on the mechanics of polymer matrix composites, few cover their processing.Processing of Polymer Matrix Composites fills this gap. The book focuses on the major manufacturing processes used for polymer matrix composites and describes process details, process parameters and their effects on properties and process-induced defects, and analytical and experimental methods used for understanding process conditions. The book describes fibers, thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, and interface characteristics that are important from the standpoint of both design and processing. It also emphasizes the applications of process fundamentals for both continuous fiber and short fiber polymer matrix composites. In addition the book considers quality inspection methods, tooling, and manufacturing costs and environmental and safety issues.

Polymer matrix composites are replacing materials such as metals in industries such as aerospace, automotive and civil engineering. As composites are relatively new materials, more information on the potential risk of failure is needed to ensure safe design. This book focuses on three main types of failure: impact damage, delamination and fatigue. Chapters in Parts 1-4 describe the main types of failure mechanism and discuss testing methods for predicting failure in composites. Chapters in Parts 5 and 6 discuss typical kinds of in-service failure and their implications for industry.

Advanced polymer matrix composites (PMC) have many advantages such as light weight and high specific strength that make them useful for many aerospace applications. Enormous uncertainty exists, however, in predicting long-term changes in properties of PMCs under extreme environmental conditions, which has limited their use. To help address this issue, the Department of Defense requested a study from the NRC to identify the barriers and limitations to the use of PMCs in extreme environments. The study was to focus on issues surrounding methodologies for predicting long-term performance. This report provides a review of the challenges facing application of PMCs in extreme environments, the current understanding of PMC properties and behavior, an analysis of the importance of data in developing effective models, and recommendations for improving long-term predictive methodologies.

Composite materials are used as substitutions of metals/traditional materials in aerospace, automotive, civil, mechanical and other industries. The present book collects the current knowledge and recent developments in the characterization and application of composite materials. To this purpose the volume describes the outstanding properties of this class of advanced material which recommend it for various industrial applications.

Given such properties as low density and high strength, polymer matrix composites have become a widely used material in the aerospace and other industries. Polymer matrix composites and technology provides a helpful overview of these materials, their processing and performance.After an introductory chapter, part one reviews the main reinforcement and matrix materials used as well as the nature of the interface between them. Part two discusses forming and molding technologies for polymer matrix composites. The final part of the book covers key aspects of performance, including tensile, compression, shear and bending properties as well as impact, fatigue and creep behaviour.Polymer matrix composites and technology provides both students and those in industry with a valuable introduction to and overview of this important class of materials. - Provides a helpful overview of these materials, their processing and performance incorporating naming and classification of composite materials - Reviews the main reinforcement and matrix materials used as well as the nature of the interface between them including damage mechanisms - Discusses forming and molding technologies for polymer matrix composites outlining various techniques and technologies

Composite Materials presents recent developments and state-of-the-art achievements in the science and technology of composites. It identifies and discusses key and emerging issues for future progress in the multidisciplinary field of composites. By bringing together leading experts and promising innovators from research institutions and academia, Composite Materials highlights unresolved issues and identifies opportunities for long-term research needs to provide the reader with a vision for the future in various fields of application of composite materials. A few of the many future directions highlighted in the book are increasingly multifunctional properties; complex, hybrid and nanoreinforced materials; and tailoring in multiple dimensions and directions. The wider areas covered include, but are not limited to, the following: biomedical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, and naval engineering. Composite Materials is designed to increase the reader’s understanding of the state of the art of composite materials in a variety of industrial sectors and to explore future needs and opportunities. It will therefore be of use to professionals working in the composites industry, research centers, and academia, who already have a graduate-level knowledge of composite materials.