Fibre-reinforced composites material groups

The importance of carbon-fibre composite materials in the development of the space shuttle cannot be overemphasized. Reinforced carbon-carbon composites are used in the nose cone and wing leading edges to provide the resistance to thermal shock and stress required for re-entry into the Earth s atmosphere. Carbon-carbon composites are a particular group of carbon-fibre reinforced materials in which both the bulk material and fibres are carbon. The... 

Hybrid composite materials (HCM) represent the newest group of various composites where more than one type of fibre is used to increase cost-performance effectiveness, i.e., in a composite system reinforced with carbon fibres the cost can be minimised by reducing its content while maximising the performance by optimal partial replacement with an another fibre or by changing the orientations. HCM include nanocomposites [31], functionally gradient materials [32], Hymats (hybrid materials) [33], interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) [34], and liquid crystal polymers [35]. 

The distinction between composite materials and composite structures is not sharp and laminated composites form a group that may be logically considered for different purposes either as materials or as structures. Composite materials are used to build up composite structures, but homogeneous ones may also be used. It is usual to consider concrete and fibre-reinforced concrete as composite materials. A concrete beam reinforced with steel bars or a set of steel beams connected together with a concrete steel-reinforced slab to create... 

Carbon fibres are obtained from different organic fibres (precursors) by pyrolysis, which consists of decomposition into smaller molecules at high temperature. The process of fabrication of carbon fibres from special PAN fibres includes two steps oxidative stabilization at low temperature and carbonization at high temperature in an inert atmosphere. Due to the high cost of raw materials (e.g. PAN fibres) and of this production process, carbon fibres are still expensive. Carbon fibres may be also produced from crude oil deposits like pitches or asphalts. Three main groups of carbon fibres are considered as possible composite materials reinforcement ... 

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are a group of materials (such as metals, alloys or intermetallic compounds) incorporated with various reinforcing phases, such as particulates, whiskers or continuous fibres. Based on the mechanical properties of the reinforcing phases, the composite materials could be simply divided into two categories [1]. In the first category, the matrix is reinforced with a ductile component, typically a refractory, such as... 

Another classification of composite materials is based on the morphology of the reinforcement introduced into the matrix. The composites therefore could be categorised into two main groups continuous reinforced system and discontinuous reinforced system. In the former, the matrix contains continuous fibres or filaments, which typically distribute in a uniaxial direction and enhance the strength and creep resistance of the matrix. In the latter, the matrix contains particulates, whiskers or chopped fibres, which distribute in the matrix uniformly in random orientations. Moderate toughening and reasonable levels of strengthening can be achieved. 

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