Polymer matrix composites PMCs properties

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs), or fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs). provide a wide range of properties and behavior. Materials with discontinuous fibers are slightly stiffer than conventional unreinforced plastics, whereas the fully aligned continuous fiber systems can record exceptionally high specific properties (property divided by density), exeeeding those of competing materials such as steel and aluminum. There are a virtually infinite number of materials, and material formats that can be combined to form a composite material, as shown in Table 1. 

Composites usually consist of a reinforcing material embedded in various matrices (binder). The elfective method to increase the strength and to improve the overall properties of composites is to incorporate dispersed phases into the matrix which can be an either polymer or engineering materials such as ceramics or metals. Hence, metal matrix composites (MMCs), ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are obtained. Besides, hybrid composites, metal/ceramic/polymer composites and carbon matrix composites can also be obtained. MMC and CMC composites are developed to withstand high temperature applications. MMCs are also used in heat dissipation/electronic transmission applications due to the conductive nature of metals (electrically and thermally). 

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are very popular due to their low cost, simple fabrication methods, lightweight and desirable mechanical properties. 

Description and general properties. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) consist of a pol)oner matrix or resin reinforced with glass fibers and to a lesser extent carbon, boron and pol)r-aramide fibers. The resin systems used to manufacture advanced composites are of two basic types thermosets and thermoplastics (see Chapter 11). Thermosetting resins predominate today, while thermoplastics have only a minor role in advanced-composite manufacture. Thermoset resins require the addition of a curing agent or hardener and impregnation onto... 

Table 18.4. Properties of selected polymer matrix composites (PMCs)...

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are composed of matrix and reinforcement. The primary function of the matrix is to transfer stresses between the reinforcing fibres and to protect the fibres from mechanical as well as environmental damage. The fibres impart their special mechanical and physical property to enhance the matrix properties. 

Most structural PMCs consist of a relatively soft matrix, such as a thermosetting plastic of polyester, phenolic, or epoxy, sometimes referred to as resin-matrix composites. Some typical polymers used as matrices in PMCs are listed in Table 1.28. The list of metals used in MMCs is much shorter. Aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and iron- and nickel-based alloys are the most common (see Table 1.29). These metals are typically utilized due to their combination of low density and good mechanical properties. Matrix materials for CMCs generally fall into fonr categories glass ceramics like lithium aluminosilicate oxide ceramics like aluminnm oxide (alnmina) and mullite nitride ceramics such as silicon nitride and carbide ceramics such as silicon carbide. 

Composites are a combination of at least two materials, insoluble in one another, combined to yield a material with certain properties not possessed by the constituents (32). In PMC, polymers form a continuous constituent, called matrix, in which the other phase(s) are embedded (see Composite Materials). 

Table 5.5 presents physical properties of selected unidirectional composite materials having a typical fiber volume fraction of 60 percent. The densities of all of the materials are considerably lower than that of aluminum, and some are lower than that of magnesium. This reflects the low densities of both fibers and matrix materials. The low densities of most polymers give PMCs a significant advantage over most MMCs and CMCs, all other things being equal. 

The most widely used and least expensive polymer resins are the polyesters and vinyl esters. These matrix materials are used primarily for glass fiber-reinforced composites. A large number of resin formulations provide a wide range of properties for these polymers. The epoxies are more expensive and, in addition to commercial applications, are also used extensively in PMCs for aerospace applications they have better mechanical properties and resistance to moisture than the polyesters and vinyl resins. For high-temperature applications, polyimide resins are employed their continuous-use, upper-temperature limit is approximately 230°C (450 F). Finally, high-temperature thermoplastic resins offer the potential to be used in future aerospace applications such materials include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), and polyetherimide (PEI). 

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