Composites Flashcards
Composite
A material comprised of two or more different materials, resulting in a material with enhanced properties
CFRP
Carbon fibres mixed with polyester resin
Can be moulded via lay-up method
Lightweight Corrosion resistant Tough Hard Good compressive strength Low thermal expansion Excellent absorption of shock and vibration
Uses:
Bike frames Tennis racquets Fishing rods Racing car bodies Helmets Prosthetics
GRP
Glass fibres mixed with polyester resin
Can be moulded via lay-up method
Lightweight Tough Hard Corrosion resistant Low thermal expansion Good compressive strength
Uses:
Boat hulls
Pond liners
Kayak shells
Sports car bodies
Tungsten carbide
It’s a cermet - mixture of a ceramic and metal
Ceramic tungsten and carbon and Cobalt metal
Hard
Tough
Resistant to high temperatures
Corrosion resistant
Uses:
Drill bits
Lathe tool tips
Router bits
Kitchen knives
Aluminium composite board
Aluminium sheets with a polyethylene core
Lightweight Rigid Tough Malleable Good thermal and sound insulation Good vibration damping
Uses:
Soundproofing panels in cars, buildings and boats
Signage
Concrete
Cement powder, sand, aggregate particles mixed with water
High compressive strength Low tensile strength Few surface defects Easy to mould Can be cast in situ
Uses:
Pathways Beams Blocks Driveways House foundations
Reinforced concrete
Concrete + low carbon steel rods (rebar)
High compression and tensile strength
Consistency across the structure
Few surface defects
Fire resistant
Uses:
Buildings Bridge piles Bridge spans Grid floors Retaining walls (hold back a slope)
Fibre cement
Cement, water, sand, aggregate particles and polymer and/or steel fibres
Lighter than reinforced concrete
Hard
Tough
Good at low temperatures and freeze/thaw conditions
Uses:
Suspended floors
Complex geometric shapes
Pathways
Engineered wood
Timber laminates and melamine formaldehyde adhesive
Good aesthetics Natural alternative to concrete More lightweight than concrete and alternatives Fire resistant Good structural stability Corrosion proof
Uses:
Beams Bridges Domes Arches Decking Roof beams Rafters
Composites examples
CFRP
GRP
Tungsten carbide
Aluminium composite board
Concrete
Reinforced concrete
Fibre cement
Engineered wood
