Organic matrix composites

As with organic-matrix composites, the orientation of the reinforcing material determines whether the properties will be isotropic or oriented in a preferential direction so that the strength and stiffness are greater in the direction of the fiber orientation. 

As with organic-matrix composites, advances with MMCs are continually being made to answer the call for better materials meet ever increasingly restrictive requirements and ever-broadening applications. 

PLASTEC is one of 20 information analysis centers sponsored by the Department of Defense to provide the defense community with a variety of technical information services applicable to plastics, adhesives, and organic matrix composites. For the last 21 years, PLASTEC has served the defense community with authoritative information and advice in such forms as engineering assistance, responses to technical inquiries, special investigations, field trouble shooting, failure analysis, literature searches, state-of-the-art reports, data compilations, and handbooks. PLASTEC has also been heavily involved in standardization activities. In recent years, PLASTEC has been permitted to serve private industry. 

Reinforced polymers with inorganic fillers are known to show greater resistance to radiation than original polymers. Most of organic materials in fusion reactors must be designed to employ organic-matrix composites as it appears very doubtful that conventional polymers can withstand the severe radiation environment for a reasonably long operation time. 

Radiation damage effects are likely to be of prime importance in organic matrix composites. Screening measurements to assess the severity of the problem are needed. For most of these materials, there is no low-temperature data base. Specifications for industrial laminates (NEMA/ASTM) are generally electrical in nature, and mechanical specifications may be necessary additions for low-temperature applications. Very few 4 K data exist for the advanced (high-modulus) composites and specialty fiberglass composites, which may be needed for low-temperature structural applications near pulsed coils. 

STAINLESS STEEL FIBER ORGANIC MATRIX COMPOSITES FOR CRYOGENIC APPLICATION ... 

Stainless Steel Fiber Organic Matrix Composites for Cryogenic Application... 

Bromination of vinyl-ester resin imparts fire retardancy as manifested by flame spread and lower RHR [50]. However, this fire-retardant system functions primarily in the gas phase causing incomplete combustion. As such, brominated resins produce dense smoke, and an increase in the yield of CO and HBr. Recent interest in the use of non-halogenated organic-matrix composite materials in US Navy submarines and ships has generated the requirement for significant improvement in the flammability performance of these materials including reduction in the amount of smoke, CO and corrosive combustion products. 

Surface or Surfacing Mat—A thin mat of fine fibres used primarily to produce a smooth surface on an organic matrix composite. 

FRCs can be classified based on matrix and fibres. Based on fibre source, FRCs may be natural fibre reinforced and synthetic fibre reinforced. Based on fibre length, they can be continuous fibre reinforced and discontinuous fibre reinforced. But FRCs are generally classified based on matrix component. Thus according to the types of matrices stated earlier, composites are of three types (i) ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), (ii) metal matrix composites (MMCs) and (iii) organic matrix composites (OMCs). Organic matrix is subdivided into two classes, namely polymer matrix and carbon matrix. A short description of all these types of composites are discussed below. 

Cohn Xavier, Mavel Anne, Marais Christian, and Verdu Jacques. Interaction between cracking and oxidation in organic matrix composites. J. Compos. Mater. 39 no. 15 (2005a) 1371-1389. 

Because there is no precedent for using ceramic composites in a nuclear reactor, standard test procedures will be established to qualify ceramic composites for nuclear reactor applications. In order to use SiCf/SiC in applications of structural components, it is necessary for well-established testing standards and material codes to be in place. CMCs have different mechanical behaviors than those of organic matrix composites and monolithic ceramics. Thus, new test methods are required. Some standards for the thermomechanical properties of CMCs already exist, as summarized in Table 12.9. 

In the current study, the global AE is analyzed and compared to the mechanical energy during cyclic and static fatigue tests. This process is based on studies realized by Minak" on organic matrix composites. The goal of this process is to determine new damage markers for CMCs. 

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