Composite materials thermal expansion

Figure 16.41 TMA curve of a fiber composite material. Thermally induced expansion differs depending on the direction of measurement because the strength of the material is related to the orientation of the fiber layers. (Courtesy of Netzsch Instruments, Inc., PaoU, PA.)...

The interface region in a composite is important in determining the ultimate properties of the composite. At the interface a discontinuity occurs in one or more material parameters such as elastic moduli, thermodynamic parameters such as chemical potential, and the coefficient of thermal expansion. The importance of the interface region in composites stems from two main reasons the interface occupies a large area in composites, and in general, the reinforcement and the matrix form a system that is not in thermodynamic equiUbhum. 

Data for thermal movement of various bitumens and felts and for composite membranes have been given (1). These describe the development of a thermal shock factor based on strength factors and the linear thermal expansion coefficient. Tensile and flexural fatigue tests on roofing membranes were taken at 21 and 18°C, and performance criteria were recommended. A study of four types of fluid-appHed roofing membranes under cycHc conditions showed that they could not withstand movements of <1.0 mm over joiats. The limitations of present test methods for new roofing materials, such as prefabricated polymeric and elastomeric sheets and Hquid-appHed membranes, have also been described (1). For evaluation, both laboratory and field work are needed. 

Unfilled Tooth Restorative Resins. UnfiUed reskis were some of the first polymer materials iatroduced to repak defects ki anterior teeth where aesthetics were of concern. They have been completely replaced by the fiUed composite reskis that have overcome the problems of poor color StabUity, low physical strength, high volume shrinkage, high thermal expansion, and low abrasion resistance commonly associated with unfiUed reskis. 

Applied Sciences, Inc. has, in the past few years, used the fixed catalyst fiber to fabricate and analyze VGCF-reinforced composites which could be candidate materials for thermal management substrates in high density, high power electronic devices and space power system radiator fins and high performance applications such as plasma facing components in experimental nuclear fusion reactors. These composites include carbon/carbon (CC) composites, polymer matrix composites, and metal matrix composites (MMC). Measurements have been made of thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), tensile strength, and tensile modulus. Representative results are described below. 

Plastic products are often constrained from freely expanding or contracting by rigidly attaching them to another structure made of a material (plastic, metal, etc.) with a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion. When such composite structures are heated, the plastic component is placed in a state of compression and may buckle, etc. When such composite structures are cooled, the plastic component is placed in a state of tension, which may cause the material to yield or crack. The precise level of stress in the plastic depends on the relative compliance of the component to which it is attached, and on assembly stress. 

To minimize the stresses induced by differential thermal expansion/contraction one must (1) employ fastening techniques that allow relative movement between the component parts of the composite structure, (2) minimize the difference in coefficient of linear thermal expansion between the materials... 

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