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FOREWORD

Composites have emerged as a valuable classof engineering materials because they offermany attributes not attainable with othermaterials. Light weight, coupled with highstiffness, and selectable properties have fos-tered their use for many years in satellites,high performance aircraft and world class sail-boats as well as submarines. Now, thesematerials demonstrate their worth in the mun-dane, but equally as demanding, consumer,infrastructure, and sporting goods arenas.However, the transition to many of these con-sumer and infrastructure-related arenas hasbeen slow, primarily due to the lack of under-standing, the lack of validated data, absence ofdesign allowables, lack of clear guidelines,limited hands-on experience, low confidenceand less than optimum supplier data sheets. Itis hoped that this book, crafted by well knowncontributors, pre-eminent in their field, mem-bers of international universities, industrialresearch organizations, and government labswill remedy some of these weak areas and thatthis edition will continue as the primary refer-ence in the composites field and as basic a textfor educational uses as was the first edition.

The editor of the first edition, GeorgeLubin, was a valued mentor to many, includ-ing the present editor. This book carries on thelegacy he started: that of a compact but thor-ough sourcebook, with validated, useful datato increase understanding, incorporatingapplication guidelines, fabrication methodsand tradeoffs, basic polymer information anddesign recommendations. The successful,cost-effective fabrication of composite struc-tures requires utmost cooperation between thevarious design and manufacturing specialties

and is one of the prime drivers for concurrentengineering. The needs of concurrent engi-neering require all contributors to a successfulcomposite structure design to have someknowledge of composites. It is hoped that thishandbook will facilitate the acquisition of thatknowledge.

There is little change in scope or objectivesfrom the first edition, but many changes incontent. Organic matrix composites are stillhighlighted and a limited treatment of metalmatrix, carbon and ceramic matrix compos-ites, as well as treatment of the new polymers,including the thermoplastic materials havebeen added.

The treatment of processing methods hasbeen expanded for reader convenience, dou-bling the previous number of chapters. Thestructural efficiency of a composite structure isoften determined by its joints, not by its basicstructure. Thus, an extensive treatment ofcomposite surface treatment, mechanical fas-tening, and adhesive bonding, which continueto be important, sometimes vexing areas ofconcern in composite structure fabrication,have been added.

The analysis section has been expandedwith chapters dealing with laminate design,composite structure design and a new, impor-tant subject, design allowables substantiation.

There are new chapters on repair, safety andreuse of composites as well as chapters on theapplications of composites to medical, con-struction and sporting goods uses that reflectcurrent concerns and important new uses forcomposite materials.S.T. Peters