Composite Materials Flashcards
What is a composite material?
A composite material is a mixture of two or more different materials that enhance each others properties.
What are the 3 main groups of composite materials?
- Fibre-reinforced composites
- Particle-based composites
- Sheet-based composites
Name some Fibre-reinforced composites
- Natural woods
- Polymer mixed with fibres
- GRP
- Plastic laminates
- Carbon fibre
Name some Particle-based composites
- Cermets
- Tungsten carbide
- Concretes
- Tarmac
Name some Sheet-based composites
- Plywood
- Blockboards
- Chipboard
- Sterling board
- MDF
Name some Man-made boards
- Plywood
- MDF
- Chipboard
- Block board
What are the common uses of Plywood?
Backs of furniture e.g. cabinets, bottom of draws.
What are the common uses of Block board?
Table tops.
What are the common uses of Sterling board?
Flooring for sheds and workshops.
What are the common uses of Chip board?
Knockdown furniture, kitchen cupboards.
What are the common uses of MDF?
Furniture sides.
What are the common uses of Hardboard?
Backs of cupboards and drawer bottoms.
What is Kevlar a mixture of?
Aromatic and aramid molecules.
How does Kevlar work?
Kevlar fibers are woven into a cloth which can be fashioned into protective equipment, it acts like a net which absorbs all the force.
Name some uses of Kevlar.
- Body protection
- Sports equipment like skis and helmets
- Sails for wind surfing
What are the properties of Kevlar?
- High strength to weight ratio
- Low electrical conductivity.
- High chemical resistance
- High toughness
- High cut resistance
- Flame resistance
Name 3 typical fibre-reinforced composites
- GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic)
- Carbon Fibre
- Kevlar
What are the common uses of GRP?
vehicle bodies like boat hulls or canoes.
What are the common uses of Carbon fibre?
Sports equipment and bike frames
What are the common uses of Kevlar?
Body Armour
What is reinforced concrete?
reinforced concrete is concrete which has been modified to withstand more tension, by adding a metal reinforcing rod in the middle of the concrete.
What are the general characteristics of Particle-based composite materials?
- High strength in compression
- Good stability
- Uniform structure ensuring constant strength
- Generally free from surface defects
What is concrete made out of?
Concrete is made up of aggregates, sand and cement
What are some advantages of Concrete?
- Can be molded into complex shapes
- Similar properties to stone
- Can be cast in site
- Good in compression
What is a disadvantage of concrete?
Poor in tension
What is a cermet?
A mixture of metal and ceramic particles
Give an example of an cermet
Tungsten carbine
What are some advantages of using cermets?
- Resistant to high temperatures
- Tough and Shock resistant
