Combinations of Composite Materials

Numerous multiphase composite materials exhibit more than one characteristic of the various classes, fibrous, laminated, or particulate composite materials, just discussed. For example, reinforced concrete is both particulate (because the concrete is composed of gravel in a cement-paste binder) and fibrous (because of the steel reinforcement). 

laminated fiber-reinforced composite materials are obviously both laminated and fibrous composite materials. Thus, any classification system is arbitrary and imperfect. Nevertheless, the system should serve to acquaint the reader with the broad possibilities of composite materials. 

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The possibility to obtain a uniformly dispersed composite powder was shown for the a-Fe-Al203 system where metal particles with an average size of 55 nm were formed in an amorphous/nano alumina matrix.18 Other studies attempting to obtain dense bulk composites based on the sol-gel route using conventional pressure-assisted sintering ( 1400°C and an applied force of 10 MPa) resulted in a coarse microstructure.16 However, if reaching theoretical density is not a necessary requirement, a porous ceramic microstructure containing nanometer-sized metal particles can be used as a catalytic material.19 Certain combinations of composite materials demand... 

A combination of composite materials in conjunction with steel was introduced into the pipeline industry in the 1980s, when the application of composites overlaying steel sleeve became a standard for pipeline repairs. One of the most notable applications is that resulting from the collaborative efforts of Emon and the Gas Researeh Institute (GRl) in 1991, which resulted in installation of SSLP in their system. After eight years in service, the SSLP was inspected, and was verified to be in the same condition as in its initial state. Later on, TransCanada Pipelines Inc. also ventured into the use of SSLP pipes in several projects in 1998, 2001 and 2002 (Stephen, 2005). 

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