Scheme for Composite Materials

Broadly defined, composite materials include all two-component structures however, discussions in this monograph have been limited to composites containing at least one polymeric component. Even so, many important subclasses of polymer-based composites were either treated extremely cursorily or omitted entirely. It is valuable, however, to classify the known types of polymer-based composites, since such a scheme might promote the discovery or development of yet new types. Such a classification scheme should have a topological foundation (Chinn and Steenrod, 1966), 

When the polymeric component forms the continuous phase, spheres, cylinders, or platelets may be added, as illustrated under reinforced polymers. The fiber composites are the most highly researched, as far as different modes of mixing are considered. The filaments may be continuous or discontinuous, or oriented or random in the matrix, with many subclasses of partial orientation possible (not shown). The tape composites are interesting since in some quarters these may be considered a two-dimensional analog of the highly oriented, continuous fibers embedded in a plastic matrix. The reinforced elastomers differ from the reinforced plastics in two ways the mechanical properties of the polymeric substrate, and the size of the reinforcing particles with respect to polymer chain dimensions. Because of the poor properties often obtained, it is rare to see a research paper on large particles dispersed in an elastomer. 

Thus there are many different classes of polymer composites, each having characteristic morphologies. 

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