Short fibers importance

There are three kinds of metal-matrix composites distinguished by type of reinforcement particle-reinforced MMCs, short fiber- or whisker-reinforced MMCs, and continuous fiber- or sheet-reinforced MMCs. Table 1 provides examples of some important reinforcements used in metal-matrix composites as well as their aspect (length/diameter) ratios and diameters. 

An important appHcation of MMCs in the automotive area is in diesel piston crowns (53). This appHcation involves incorporation of short fibers of alumina or alumina—siHca in the crown of the piston. The conventional diesel engine piston has an Al—Si casting alloy with a crown made of a nickel cast iron. The replacement of the nickel cast iron by aluminum matrix composite results in a lighter, more abrasion resistant, and cheaper product. Another appHcation in the automotive sector involves the use of carbon fiber and alumina particles in an aluminum matrix for use as cylinder liners in the Prelude model of Honda Motor Co. 

Determination of mechanical properties like tensile strength, tear strength, modulus, and elongation at break are the most common methods adopted to determine the cured properties of short fiber-mbber composites. Murty and De [133] discussed the technical properties of short fiber-mbber composites whereas Abrate [8] reviewed the mechanism of short fiber reinforcement of mbber. Fiber concentration in the matrix plays an important role in the optimization of the required... 

The behavior of the composites under tension can be explained based on the stress-transfer theory of Cox et al. [176]. The analysis of mechanics of short fiber-mbber composites is difficult than that for continuous fiber-mbber composites. This is because of the fact that fiber end effects are important in short fiber reinforcement which are absent in the case of continuous fiber... 

Though short fiber-reinforced mbber composites find application in hose, belt, tires, and automotives [57,98,133,164] recent attention has been focused on the suitability of such composites in high-performance applications. One of the most important recent applications of short fiber-mbber composite is as thermal insulators where the material will protect the metallic casing by undergoing a process called ablation, which is described in a broad sense as the sacrificial removal of material to protect stmcrnres subjected to high rates of heat transfer [190]. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are potential ablative materials because of their high specific heat, low thermal conductivity, and ability of the fiber to retain the char formed during ablation [191-194]. 

The most important effects of the fiber tensile stress falling away to zero at the ends are rednctions in the axial tensile modnlns and strength of the composite. Consider the idealized composite shown in Figure 5.94, where the short fibers are in parallel, and an imaginary (dash) fine is drawn across the composite at right angles to the fibers. It can be shown that the stress carried by the composite, cti, is given by... 

To conclude this brief digression into history, we may point out one more important aspect the high efficiency of the combined shear in molding of filled thermoplastics. One of the first works in this field was 31) which described experiments carried out with polypropylene filled with a disperse aggregate calcium carbonate (chalk) and a short-fiber material-asbestos. 

Important determinations of asbestos toxicity include exposure concentration, duration, fiber dimensions, and fiber durability. There is animal and human evidence that long fibers are retained in the lungs for longer periods than short fibers and that amphibole fibers, such as tremolite asbestos, are retained longer than chrysotile fibers. Short and long fibers may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer in humans, but their relative importance is uncertain. 

Various nonwoven structures have been developed as well. The least important among sheet structures are films. There are two film products (see Section 13.3) based onp-aramids and none on m-aramids. The significant cost differential is the most likely reason for this situation. On the other hand a very large market has been developed for papers based on both p-aramids and m-aramids. In general, these papers are based on short fibers (floe) and a binder (fibrids), but other components have been explored as well. A very small market exists for particles other than fibrids and pulps. 

Important distinguishing properties of the composite materials are the shape of the reinforcement phase, such as long fibers, short fibers, and particle. Concerning the mechanical properties, the best results are achieved by long-fiber reinforcements. Since they are not economically feasible because of their complex manufacturing process, it is preferred to use short-fiber or particle reinforcements. They do not have the same resistance as the long-fiber reinforcement, but the potential gain of stiffness, resistance to wear, and other property improvement are usually sufficient and acceptable. 

Linear thermal expansion testing helps to determine if failure by thermal stress may occur in products and materials. Precise knowledge of the CTE can be utilized to estimate the thermal stresses. This aspect makes CTE to an important property of the used fiber for composite materials. A rule of mixtures is sufficient for calculating the CTE of polymers filled with powder or short fibers. In case of long libers, the rule of mixtures is valid perpendicular to the reinforcing fibers. Molecular orientation affects the thermal expansion of polymers. Processing also affects CTE, for semicrystalline polymers this fact is very important. For that reason, CTE measurements are often used to predict shrinkage in injection moulded parts. 

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