Composite reinforced

Composites from PLA and cotton linter or maple wood fiber have been prepared by compounding and injection molding (28). A reduction of the crystallinity in the PLA matrix was observed due to thermal processing. 

The composites showed an excellent improvement with regard to stiffness and toughness. On the other hand, the tensile strength and the flexural strength remained unchanged and the strain at break values were found to be reduced. 

Characterization by thermal mechanical analysis indicated that the incorporation of the fibers cause a decrease of the mechanical loss factor. This results in better damping capabilities. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies of the impact fractured surfaces of the composites with cotton linter showed a debonding cavitation at the matrix fiber interface. 

Composting studies of the composites up to 90 d revealed that the degradation onset time was increased with an increase of the fiber content. In contrast, the maximum degree of degradation and the rates of degradation were decreased in comparison to neat PLA. 

The composites with cotton linter showed a quicker onset of biodegradation and a higher degree of biodegradation after 90 d than the maple wood fiber based composites. This is possibly due to a quicker thermal hydrolysis during processing and composting. 

---

A.K Jain M P Debuisson. Segmentation of X-ray and C-scan Images of Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials. Pattern Recognition, vol 25, N°.3, pp 257-270, 1992... 

Cera.micA.bla.tors, Several types of subliming or melting ceramic ablators have been used or considered for use in dielectric appHcations particularly with quartz or boron nitride [10043-11 -5] fiber reinforcements to form a nonconductive char. Fused siHca is available in both nonporous (optically transparent) and porous (sHp cast) forms. Ford Aerospace manufactures a 3D siHca-fiber-reinforced composite densified with coUoidal siHca (37). The material, designated AS-3DX, demonstrates improved mechanical toughness compared to monolithic ceramics. Other dielectric ceramic composites have been used with performance improvements over monolithic ceramics (see COMPOSITE MATERIALS, CERAMIC MATRIX). 

Particle or discontinuously reinforced MMCs have become important because they are inexpensive compared to continuous fiber-reinforced composites and they have relatively isotropic properties compared to the fiber-reinforced composites. Figures la and b show typical microstmctures of continuous alumina fiber/Mg and siUcon carbide particle/Al composites, respectively. 

Fig. 17. Variety of subcritical damage mechanisms in fiber-reinforced composites, that lead to a highly diffuse damage 2one. (a) Fiber cracking, (b) matrix...

In aerospace appHcations, low density coupled with other desirable features, such as tailored thermal expansion and conductivity, high stiffness and strength, etc, ate the main drivers. Performance rather than cost is an important item. Inasmuch as continuous fiber-reinforced MMCs deUver superior performance to particle-reinforced composites, the former are ftequendy used in aerospace appHcations. In nonaerospace appHcations, cost and performance are important, ie, an optimum combination of these items is requited. It is thus understandable that particle-reinforced MMCs are increa singly finding appHcations in nonaerospace appHcations. 

Composites. The history of phenoHc resin composites goes back to the early development of phenoHc materials, when wood flour, minerals, and colorants were combined with phenoHc resins to produce mol ding compounds. In later appHcations, resin varnishes were developed for kraft paper and textile fabrics to make decorative and industrial laminates. Although phenoHcs have been well characterized in glass-reinforced composites, new developments continue in this area, such as new systems for Hquid-injection molding (LIM) and sheet-molding compounds (SMC). More compHcated composite systems are based on aramid and graphite fibers. 

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether [1675-54-3] reacts readily with methacrylic acid [71-49-4] in the presence of benzyl dimethyl amine catalyst to produce bisphenol epoxy dimethacrylate resins known commercially as vinyl esters. The resins display beneficial tensile properties that provide enhanced stmctural performance, especially in filament-wound glass-reinforced composites. The resins can be modified extensively to alter properties by extending the diepoxide with bisphenol A, phenol novolak, or carboxyl-terrninated mbbers. 

Cross-linked polyester composites have a relatively low coefficient of thermal conductivity that can provide beneficial property retention in thick laminates at high temperatures as well as remove the need for secondary insulation. The coefficient of thermal expansion of glass-reinforced composites is similar to aluminum but higher than most common metals. 

The macroscopic orientation of their extended-chain crystals depends on the orientation imparted by flow during mol ding. Because of the fibrous nature of the extended-chain crystals, these materials behave as self-reinforcing composites, with excellent mechanical properties. 

Performance of coupling agents in reinforced composites may depend as much on physical properties resulting from the method of appHcation as on the chemistry of the organofunctional silane. Physical solubiUty or compatibiUty of a siloxanol layer is determined by the nature and degree of siloxane condensation on a mineral surface. 

Boron Trichloride. Approximately 75—95% of the BCl consumed iu the United States is used to prepare boron filaments by CVD (7). These high performance fibers are used to reinforce composite materials (qv) made from epoxy resius and metals (Al, Ti). The principal markets for such composites are aerospace industries and sports equipment manufacturers. 

Most recent studies (69) on elevated temperature performance of carbon fiber-based composites show that the oxidation resistance and elevated temperature mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced composites are complex and not always direcdy related to the oxidation resistance of the fiber. To some extent, the matrix acts as a protective barrier limiting the diffusion of oxygen to the encased fibers. It is therefore critical to maintain interfacial bonding between the fiber and the matrix, and limit any microcracking that may serve as a diffusion path for oxygen intmsion. Since interfacial performance typically deteriorates with higher modulus carbon fibers it is important to balance fiber oxidative stabiHty with interfacial performance. 

Eiber volume fraction is a quantitative measure of degree of reinforcement of the matrix material in a fiber-reinforced composite. If the volume of a composite material is D and the volume of the fibers is and that of the matrix is then... 

Thermosetting unsaturated polyester resins constitute the most common fiber-reinforced composite matrix today. According to the Committee on Resin Statistics of the Society of Plastics Industry (SPl), 454,000 t of unsaturated polyester were used in fiber-reinforced plastics in 1990. These materials are popular because of thek low price, ease of use, and excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties. Over 227 t of phenoHc resins were used in fiber-reinforced plastics in 1990 (1 3). PhenoHc resins (qv) are used when thek inherent flame retardance, high temperature resistance, or low cost overcome the problems of processing difficulties and lower mechanical properties. 

Unsaturated polyester resins predominate among fiber-reinforced composite matrices for several reasons. A wide variety of polyesters is available and the composites fabricator must choose the best for a particular appHcation. The choice involves evaluation of fabrication techniques, temperatures at which the resin is to be handled, cure time and temperature desked, and requked cured properties (see Polyesters, unsaturated). 

Ease of cure, easy removal of parts from mold surfaces, and wide availabiHty have made polyesters the first choice for many fiber-reinforced composite molders. Sheet mol ding compound, filament winding, hand lay-up, spray up, and pultmsion are all weU adapted to the use of polyesters. Choosing the best polyester resin and processing technique is often a challenge. The polyester must be a type that is weU adapted to the processing method and must have the final mechanical properties requked by the part appHcation. Table 1 Hsts the deskable properties for a number of fiber-reinforced composite fabrication methods. 

Most processors of fiber-reinforced composites choose a phenol formaldehyde (phenoHc) resin because these resins are inherently fire retardant, are highly heat resistant, and are very low in cost. When exposed to flames they give off very Htde smoke and that smoke is of low immediate toxicity. PhenoHc resins (qv) are often not chosen, however, because the resole types have limited shelf stabiHty, both resole and novolac types release volatiles during their condensation cure, formaldehyde [50-00-0] emissions are possible during both handling and cure, and the polymers formed are brittle compared with other thermosetting resins. 

Resoles can be cured by the addition of base or by heat alone. Their shelf life is thus limited, which is a significant deterrent to their use in fiber-reinforced composites. Resoles are often used in unreinforced appHcations in electronics and high moisture areas. 

---