4.2f Composites

Question 1

What are composites?

Answer 1

A mixture composed of two or more materials with one acting as the matrix (glue) and the other acts as a reinforcement (fibers/sheet/particles)

Question 2

What is the form of a composite

Answer 2

Fiber
Sheet
Particle
Matrix

Question 3

What can the fibers/sheets/particles be made out of?

Answer 3

Textile, glass, plastics, and carbon

Question 4

What can the matrix be made out of?

Answer 4

Thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, ceramics, metals

Question 5

What are the processes in which composites can be created?

Answer 5

Weaving
Molding
Pultrusion
Lamination

Question 6

What is weaving?

Answer 6

Interlocking yarns at right angles to create a fabric

Question 7

What is molding?

Answer 7

A mix of materials are input into a mold under high pressure

Question 8

What is pultrusion?

Answer 8

A continuous molding process where reinforcing fibers are saturated with a liquid polymer resin and pulled through a former

Question 9

What is lamination?

Answer 9

Laying down sheets with a matrix between them

Question 10

What are composite materials?

Answer 10

Concrete
Engineered wood
Plywood
Particle board
Fiberglass
Kevlar
Carbon reinforced plastic
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)

Question 11

What is the composition and structure of concrete and its design context?

Answer 11

Sand, cement , aggregate and water form a fluid that is easily molded into shape. The cement form a hard matrix binding the materials
Often used in construction

Question 12

What is the composition and structure of engineered wood and its design context?

Answer 12

Consists of gluing veneers (sheets of wood), strands, and particles together
Often used in MDF, Particle Board, Plywood, Laminated Veneer Lumber

Question 13

What is the composition and structure of Plywood and its design context?

Answer 13

Layers of veneer laid down and glued at 90 degrees to each other
Often used in flooring and furniture

Question 14

What is the composition and structure of Particle Board and its design context?

Answer 14

Chips of wood glued together using resin
Often used in furniture and wall linings

Question 15

What is the composition and structure of Fiberglass and its design context?

Answer 15

Strands of glass fiber formed into a mat then covered in resin (thermoset plastic)
Often used in pipes and vehicles

Question 16

What is the composition and structure of Kevlar and its design context?

Answer 16

Synthetic fiber which is woven into a cloth and combines with resin
Often used in armor, sails

Question 17

What is the composition and structure of Carbon Reinforced Plastic and its design context?

Answer 17

Made from plastic and fine fibers of glass combines with resin
Often used in sports equipment, cars

Question 18

What is the composition and structure of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and its design context?

Answer 18

Multiple layers of thin wood are assembled with adhesives
Often used in headers, beams

Question 19

What are the advantages of composite materials?

Answer 19

Stronger than original material
Can be created for specific applications

Question 20

What are the disadvantages of composite materials?

Answer 20

High cost to fabricate composites
Can not be recycled (since most make use of thermosetting plastics)