Fiber reinforced polymer composite thickness

Intercalated polymer-clay nanocomposites have been synthesized by direct polymer intercalation (4-6), and in situ intercalative polymerization of monomers in the clay galleries (7, 8). Owing to the spatial confinement of the polymer between the dense clay layers, intercalated polymer-clay nanocomposites can exhibit impressive conductiviw (6) and barrier properties (7). The exfoliation of smectite clays provides 10 A-thick silicate layers with high in - plane bond strength and asjJect ratios comparable to those found for fiber reinforced polymer composites. 

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites can contain short, discontinuous fibers (usually in thermoplastics see Fig. 1.14) or long, continuous fibers in thermoset resins. Fibers can vary from the usual glass fibers with thicknesses of some tens of micrometers up to nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (single-waiied or multiwalled, SWCNT or MWCNT) about 10 nm thick. The properties of fiber-reinforced composites depend on thickness, length, and volume content of the fibers, as well as on adhesion (interfacial strength) and matrix properties. 

ASTM D 7291/D 7291M-07 (2007), Standard test method for through-thickness flatwise tensile strength and elastic modulus of a fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite material, ASTM, West Conshohocken, PA. 

A drop-weight impact test standard (ASTM D7136) has also been developed for fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. The specimen is a flat rectangular composite plate 4.000 in. x 6.000 in. (100.0 mm x 150.0 mm). The laminate consists of a number of plies to achieve a total cured thickness nearest to 5.0 mm (0.20 in.) with a stacking sequence of [(+45/-45)/(0/90)] (see Composites, Chapter 8). A... 

Rugg KL, Cox BN, Massabo R. Mixed mode delamination of polymer composite laminates reinforced through thickness by z-fibers. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 2002 33 177-90. http //dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1359-835X(01)00109-9. 

Figure 13.4 (a) Conversion degree dependence on time in neat polymer (thick solid line) and fiber-reinforced composites as obtained from computer simulation (symbols) and predicted by Equation (13.7) and Equation (13.8) (lines) D = 9x 10 a.u. , Df = 3.5 x 10 /a.u. G = 5 a.u./min, as indicated in the figure. Data from Reference [85]. (b) Cross-section of computer-simulated fiber-reinforced composite. Fibers aligned horizontally. = 0.04 a.u. D and Df as in part (a). Reprinted from Piorkowska, E. Modeling of crystallization kinetics in fiber reinforced composites. Macromol Symp. 2001,169, 143-148, with kind permission from Wiley, Copyright 2001. 

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