Polymer Matrix Composites

A multi-reference source spanning the whole composites science field, this text covers such topics as: fibre reinforcements and general theory of composites; polymer matrix composites; metal matrix composites; test methods, nondestructive evaluation and smart composites; and design and application.

This volume deals with properties and manufacturing processes of composites with polymeric matrices. Comprehensive treatment is given to properties of thermosetting resins, thermoplastics and elastomers, and composite systems based on these. Individual chapters are devoted to glass fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fibre reinforced plastics, aramid fiber reinforced plastics, high-density polyethylene composites, hybrids and sandwiches, and particulate and short-fiber composites. The mechanisms of deformation and failure that are characteristic of these composite systems are then treated in separate chapters on viscoelasticity and aging, moisture uptake, matrix cracking, delamination, and fatigue. Since the properties of composites are closely related to microstructure, an extensive treatment of microstructural characterization is given. Depending on the application and the polymeric matrix, thermoset or thermoplastic, a wide range of manufacturing processes exist. Following an overview of the manufacturing processes, the impregnation and consolidation processes as well as the preparation of semifinished products are treated. Individual chapters of this book are devoted to prepregging and autoclaving, and open mold, compression molding, liquid impregnation, and continuous molding techniques. The practical aspects of joining, machining, and repair of composites are then treated. Finally, a variety of topics of importance to the industrial application of composites such as the selection of manufacturing routes and life cycle considerations are discussed.

• Thermosetting resin - properties, I.K. Varma, V.B. Gupta
• Thermoplastics - properties, J.D. Muzzy
• Cord reinforced elastomers, K.J. Nider st, M.H. Walters
• Carbon fiber reinforced plastics - properties, P.A. Smith
• Glass fibre reinforce plastics - properties, G.D. Sims, W.R. Broughton
• Aramid fibre reinforced plastics - properties, M.W. Wardle
• High-density polyethylene fibre/polyethylene matrix composites, K.Schulte, F.von Lacroix
• Hybrids and sandwiches, A. Afaghi-Khatibi et al
• Particulate and short fibre reinforced polymer composites, P.K. Mallick
• Viscoelasticity and aging of polymer matrix composites, L.C. Brinson, T.S. Gates
• Effects of fluids on polymeric composites - a review, Y.J. Weitsman
• Matrix microcracking in composites, J.A. Nairn
• Delamination of polymer matrix composites - problems and assessment, N.J. Pagano, G.A. Schoeppner
• Fatigue of Polmer Matrix Composites, R. Talreja
• The application of morphological methods to composite materials, R. Pyrz
• Composite processing and manufacturing - an overview, J.-A.E. Manson et al
• Impregnation and consolidation phenomena, A.M. Sastry
• Composite preforming techniques, I. Verpoest
• Manufacturing Techniques for Thermoset Composites
• Processing principles for thermoset composites, L. Boogh, R. Mezzenga
• Prepegging and autoclaving of thermoset composites, J.C. Seferis et al
• Open mold techniques for thermoset composites, D. Cripps et al
• Compression molding of SMC's, M. Revellino et al
• Liquid molding of thermoset composites, C.Sohl
• Manufacturing Techniques for thermoplastic composites
• Processing principles for thermoplastic polymers, W. Michaeli, M. Koschmieder
• Compliant mold techniques for thermoplastic composites, P.J. Mallon
• Compression molding of thermoplastic composites, M.D. Wakeman, C.D. Rudd
• Liquid molding of thermoplastic composites, P.-E. Bourban
• Continuous molding of thermoplastic composites, A.G. Gibson
• Injection molding based techniques, R. Brooks
• Manufacturing and Implementation of Composite Materials
• Joining of composites, J.J. Tierney et al
• Manufacturing process selection for composite components, C.F. Johnson, C.D. Rudd
• Life cycle engineering of composites, Y. Leterrier.