composite materials Flashcards
What are composite materials?
Composite materials are formed by combining two or more materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties. When they are combined they create a material which is specialised to do a certain job, for instance to become stronger, lighter or resistant to electricity. They can also improve strength and stiffness.
What is carbon fibre?
mixture of carbon fibres which are woven into a cloth and epoxy resin
What is fibreglass?
Fibreglass or glass fibre is a reinforced plastic material which is composed of a woven material that is embedded with glass fibres which are randomly laid across each other and held together with a binding substance. Fibreglass is combined with resin to form an extremely strong and durable composite
What are the properties of carbon fibre?
The result is a product which is very light because the component parts don’t weigh very much which is also very strong and rigid.
What are the properties of fibreglass?
Fibreglass is a lightweight material that is used in a number of applications and industries. It is less costly than carbon fibre composites and is flexible to allow its use in a vast number of industries. It is a strong material and is resistant to corrosion & UV damage. It doesn’t need as much maintenance as traditional materials and is almost as strong and rigid as mild steel.
Advantages of composite materials?
You can make complex shapes and assemblies in ‘one piece’ without having to join separate parts together products manufactured from composite materials are very strong. They can be fabricated into any shape and size.
Products made from composite materials are very rigid and can be used structurally to support weight.
Composite materials have an excellent weight to strength ratio.
Composite materials are more weatherproof and durable than traditional materials like woods and metals and do not require a separate finish to be applied. They are also corrosion resistant and UV resistant.
No finish required
Composites are not affected by fatigue as much as traditional materials and are very durable so will last longer in high stress situations(Aircraft wings).
Disadvantages of composite materials?
Manufacturing using composite materials is a time consuming manual process which makes the products expensive to produce and expensive to buy for the consumer.
The time it takes to produce components makes it almost impossible to mass produce.
Carbon fibre can fail without warning. It shows no signs that it is going to break before doing so which can be dangerous.
Composite materials cannot be recycled because the fibres and plastic can’t be separated once formed.
Products made from composite materials are very difficult to repair.
