uses of composite materials

8/8/2019 Uses of Composite Materials

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By Mohd Khairul AnwarAzwadiMohd Zahidan

Fikri Hakim

Lecturer Pn Hjh Rugayah


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` Composites orcomposite materials are a combination of twoor more materials, in such a way that you can still distinguish theseparate material phases after manufacturing.

` In most cases, the term "composite" or "composite material"refers to fibre-reinforced plastics, because this is by far themost important category of composite materials. In these fibre-reinforced plastics, the plastic is reinforced with fibres to make alight and strong material. The material in which the fibres are

embedded, is called the matrix, while the fibres are called thereinforcement.`

Beside the fibre-reinforced plastics, there are a wide variety ofcomposite materials: metal matrices with metal fibres, ceramicmatrices with metal or ceramic fibres, etc. Even steel reinforcedconcrete could be classified as a composite, although it is rarelyconsidered to be part of the composites family.


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` Composite materials are very attractive for all kinds ofsports activities. In many sports applications, weightreduction is the primary reason to move to composites.

` One of the first sports disciplines where composites wereapplied, was the Formula One. Thanks to their high energyabsorption for a very low weight, composites are widelyused in all crash protection parts in Formula One race cars.

` Also in motor racing, composites are widely used. Aston

Martin has returned in 2005 to the international motorracing scene with a carbon fibre panelled DBR9 race car.


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` One of the most well-known composite applications insports is the so-called "carbon bike". The frameconsists of carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy which makesthe frame very stiff and lightweight.

` The German bicycle manufacturerCanyon BicyclesGmbH has developed a racing bike chassis of carbonfibre-reinforced polymer, together with the Institut furVerbundwerkstoffe (IVW). Its high stiffness exceededfor the first time the magical limit of 100 of the stiffness

to weight ratio, as the frame and fork have a weight ofonly 1260 grams.


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` In automotive applications, composites are all aroundus. Just as in sports applications, weight reduction ispushing the designers to use more and morecomposites. The examples are numerous.

` Composites are used in a lot of other sporty cars. ThePeugeot 907 has been introduced with a completecarbon fibre bodyshell. Both the Lotus Europa S andthe Lotus Elise 'Load Lugga' have composite bodypanels and a very advanced composite energy

absorbing front crash structure.


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` Apart from the car body, a lot of other car components aremade of composites.Goodyear has introduced the new Goodyear EagleResponsEdge Technology tyres.

` The outboard sidewall of the tyre is reinforced with acarbon fibre insert that provides stiffness for responsivehandling and steering precision.

` Kahn Laboratories have designed a 6 kg road wheel to

reduce weight and radial inertia, thus improving handling,acceleration, braking times and overall performance. Thewheel consists of a carbon fibre rim with magnesium centre


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` In and around your house, the use of composites is still quite limited,although some nice applications are emerging.

` A large increase in composites can be found in the construction ofmaintenance-free composite doors. The doors have glass fibre facings,inner frames of a high density composite material and a core of rigid

polyurethane foam that fills the voids completely and bonds to allsurfaces.

` An even more expanding market is that the composite decking market.The so-called wood-plastic composites and plastic lumber have thelook and feel of wood, but have a much better durability and lowmaintenance requirements


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` .Plastic lumber is used in fencing installations, while wood-plastic composites are also used for outdoor decking,window and door components, playground equipment andsite and leisure furniture.

` The adhesion of wood fibres with plastic is not easy toachieve, because wood and plastic are like oil and water,and do not mix well. Wood is hydrophilic - it absorbs water -and plastic is hydrophobic, repelling it.

`

A "compatibilizer", typically a polymer that bridges theinterface between the wood and plastic in these products,improves stress transfer and increases their strength andstiffness.


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` Although a lot of composites are used in consumer goodsand electronics, it is hard to discover them, because theyare usually integrated in the interior and the exteriorhousing is typically made of unreinforced plastics.

` Yet a few nice examples are shown here. Acer was the firstto present a carbon fibre cased Ferrari 4000 notebook.

` Later on, Sony also introduced the carbon fibre VAIO

notebook.


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` Composite sandwich material is used in the Bowers &Wilkins (B&W) loudspeakers. The composite material fulfilsboth requirements of maximum sensitivity and damping,thanks to the combination of the stiff carbon fibres and lowdensity Rohacell foam.

` The high mechanical performance of the material stronglyreduces the deformations normally encountered intraditional cone materials under loads and so preventssounds colouration.

` The loudspeakers are also used in the most prominentplaces, for instance the Abbey Road Studios in London,where among others the Beatles recorded many of theirsongs.


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` For many years now, composites are investigated

for application in prosthetic devices, such as hips

and other implants.

` Gradually they become a superior alternative to

titanium alloys in the development of implantable

load-bearing medical devices that require extra

strength and biocompatibility.


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` Innovations with composites are also found in otherhealth care applications.

` Carbon fibre needles are being used during minimally

invasive spine surgery, where magnetic resonanceimaging is used to monitor the operation.

` One method of treating a slipped disk is to puncture

the spinal disks, which involves injecting medicine intothe injured area of the body with a thin needle.


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` Most probably, the biggest race for composites isgoing on in the aerospace industry right now. BothAirbus and Boeing have decided to increase the shareof composites in their new airplanes considerably.

` Weight reduction is a key issue for every componentin the aircraft. Fortron has replaced the seatingelements from aluminium to a carbon fibre-reinforcedthermoplastic composite, resulting in an overall weightsaving of total 72 kg for every A380 with 555 seats.


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` Also train and bus interiors are made more and more incomposites, due to weight savings. Important in theseapplications are the FST (Fire, Smoke and Toxicity) regulations,to prevent passengers from suffocating.

`

Diab has developed a fully recyclable thermoplastic core materialfor use in interior panelling, floors and exterior panels for trains,trams, buses and coaches.

`

China Railway Long Dragon wants to refurbish interior trimcomponents used on its national railway system in advance ofthe 2008 Beijing Olympics. Together with GE Advanced

Materials, they want to co-develop high-strength flame-retardantcomponents for passenger train interiors.


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` In public infrastructure, the use of composites isgrowing more slowly.

` Main reasons are that weight reduction is a much less

critical factor than in other industrial sectors, and incivil engineering, the cost of composites is very highcompared to traditional building materials such asconcrete and steel.

` However applications are emerging in construction of(foot)bridges, utility poles, repair of damaged concretestructures,...


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` Other applications of composites can be found in utilitypoles. Typically, glass fibre-reinforced polyester resinis used for the composite poles, which combine highstiffness and strength with low maintenance and easy

installation due to very light weight.

` Finally, composites are an attractive solution for repairof damaged concrete structures. Carbon fibre-reinforced strips are glued on the exterior surface of

the structure and help taking up the loads of thestructure.

uses of composite materials

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