Composites Materials:
The technological advances in various sectors have createddemand for newer materials, where they are required to perform in
stringent conditions - high pressure & temperature, highly
corrosive environments, with high strength requirement, which the
conventional materials failed to service. This has triggered the
development needs for engineered materials to cater to customized
needs. Industry has recognized the ability of composite materials
to produce high-quality, durable, cost-effective products. While
the concept of composites has been in existence for several
millenniums, the incorporation of composite technology into the
industrial world is less than a century old. The first known
polymer composite product was a boat hull manufactured in the
mid 1930’s as part of a manufacturing experiment using a
fibreglass fabric and polyester resin laid in a foam mould.
From such a beginning, composite applications have revolutionized
entire industries, including aerospace, marine, and electrical,
chemical/ pharmaceutical, transportation etc. Composites have
proved to be a worthy alternative to other traditional materials even
in the high-pressure situations of chemical processing. Besides
superior corrosion resistance, composite materials exhibit good
resistance to temperature extremes and wear, especially in
industrial settings. The tailor ability of composites for specific
applications has been one of its greater advantages and also one of
its most perplexing challenges to adopt them as an alternative
material for metallic ones. The composites industry has now begun
to recognize that the composites promise to offer excellent
business opportunities in an array of applications.
A 'composite' is a heterogeneous combination of two or more materials (reinforcing agents & matrix), differing in form or
composition on a macro-scale. The combination results in a material
that maximizes specific performance properties. The constituents do
not dissolve or merge completely and therefore normally exhibit an
interface between one another. In this form, both reinforcing agents
and matrix retain their physical and chemical identities, yet they
produce a combination of properties that cannot be achieved with
either of the constituents acting alone. Composites are commonly
classified based on the type of matrix used: polymer, metallic and
ceramic. In fibre - reinforced composites, fibres are the principal load
carrying members, while the surrounding matrix keeps them in the
desired location and orientation. Matrix also acts as a load transfer
medium between the fibres, and protects them from environmental
damages due to elevated temperatures, humidity and corrosion. The
principal fibres in commercial use are various types of glass, carbon
and Kevlar. All these fibres can be incorporated into a matrix either in
continuous or discontinuous form. Composites have unique
properties as follows:
The end properties of a composite part are not only contingent upon the properties of fibre & resin matrix, but also depend on the way
by which they are processed. There are variety of processing
techniques for fabricating composite parts/structures viz. Resin
transfer moulding, autoclave moulding, pultrusion and filament
winding. Out of these processes, filament winding is a low cost and
the fastest technique for manufacturing of fibre reinforced cylindrical
components and high-pressure pips.
 | Introduction: |
The technological advances in various sectors have created
stringent conditions - high pressure & temperature, highly
corrosive environments, with high strength requirement, which the
conventional materials failed to service. This has triggered the
development needs for engineered materials to cater to customized
needs. Industry has recognized the ability of composite materials
to produce high-quality, durable, cost-effective products. While
the concept of composites has been in existence for several
millenniums, the incorporation of composite technology into the
industrial world is less than a century old. The first known
polymer composite product was a boat hull manufactured in the
mid 1930’s as part of a manufacturing experiment using a
fibreglass fabric and polyester resin laid in a foam mould.
From such a beginning, composite applications have revolutionized
entire industries, including aerospace, marine, and electrical,
chemical/ pharmaceutical, transportation etc. Composites have
proved to be a worthy alternative to other traditional materials even
in the high-pressure situations of chemical processing. Besides
superior corrosion resistance, composite materials exhibit good
resistance to temperature extremes and wear, especially in
industrial settings. The tailor ability of composites for specific
applications has been one of its greater advantages and also one of
its most perplexing challenges to adopt them as an alternative
material for metallic ones. The composites industry has now begun
to recognize that the composites promise to offer excellent
business opportunities in an array of applications.
| Why Composites? |
A 'composite' is a heterogeneous combination of two or more
composition on a macro-scale. The combination results in a material
that maximizes specific performance properties. The constituents do
not dissolve or merge completely and therefore normally exhibit an
interface between one another. In this form, both reinforcing agents
and matrix retain their physical and chemical identities, yet they
produce a combination of properties that cannot be achieved with
either of the constituents acting alone. Composites are commonly
classified based on the type of matrix used: polymer, metallic and
ceramic. In fibre - reinforced composites, fibres are the principal load
carrying members, while the surrounding matrix keeps them in the
desired location and orientation. Matrix also acts as a load transfer
medium between the fibres, and protects them from environmental
damages due to elevated temperatures, humidity and corrosion. The
principal fibres in commercial use are various types of glass, carbon
and Kevlar. All these fibres can be incorporated into a matrix either in
continuous or discontinuous form. Composites have unique
properties as follows:
- Composite materials are 30-45% lighter than aluminium
structures designed for the same functional requirements - Pipes/cylinders made of composites, with lower weight
compared to the metallic ones, can withstand high internal
pressures - Excellent corrosion resistance
- Appropriate inhibitors/additives can impart very good fire
retardant properties in composites - Improved torsional stiffness and impact resistance
properties - Higher fatigue endurance limit (up to 60% of the ultimate
tensile strength) - Design flexibility (composites are more versatile than metals
and can be tailored to meet performance needs and complex
design requirements) - Composites exhibit higher internal damping capacity
- Composites have better dimensional stability over
temperature fluctuations due to low coefficient of thermal
expansion - Composites enjoy lower life cycle cost compared to metals
- Composite parts can eliminate joints/fasteners, providing
part simplification and integrated design compared to
conventional metallic parts - Improved appearance with smooth surfaces
| Manufacturing Techniques |
The end properties of a composite part are not only contingent
by which they are processed. There are variety of processing
techniques for fabricating composite parts/structures viz. Resin
transfer moulding, autoclave moulding, pultrusion and filament
winding. Out of these processes, filament winding is a low cost and
the fastest technique for manufacturing of fibre reinforced cylindrical
components and high-pressure pips.
Composites
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Copyright © 2006 - 2013 Glass Fiber Technology Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Contacts:
P.O. Box 110290 Jeddah
21361 - Saudi Arabia
Tel.: +966-2-6217251
United No.: 9200 200 83
Fax: +966-2-6217257
info@frptechnology.com
P.O. Box 110290 Jeddah
21361 - Saudi Arabia
Tel.: +966-2-6217251
United No.: 9200 200 83
Fax: +966-2-6217257
info@frptechnology.com
Your Guide to Composites World