What is the use of the fibres and the matrix?
High mechanical properties along the length of the fibres. Matrix holds fibres in position, protects them from buckling, protects them from damage, enables stress transfer from fibre to fibre
What are the benefits of composites for weight reduction
- High specific stiffness and strength
- Reduced fuel consumption
- Increased performance
- Improved weight distribution
Durability Benefits
- Corrosion resistant
- Reduced maintenance
- Increased fatigue resistance
Functionality Benefits
- Embedded sensors, electronics
and cabling - Good thermal insulators
- Electrical insulation for radar
transparency
Design Benefits
- Anisotropic material properties
- Greater design freedom
- Parts integration
- Wide range of materials and
processes
What are some material challenges?
High material costs
* Material variability
* Anisotropic properties
* Extensive testing required to characterise materials
Manufacturing Challenges
Long cycle times – currently can’t compete with metals
* Many different manufacturing routes to choose from
* Difficult to automate – labour intensive processing
* Complex processing – many opportunities for mistakes!
* High material wastage
Design Challenges
- Design tools not as well developed as for metals
- Known size and scale effects – properties not independent of size
Recycling Challenges
Difficult to extract high value fibres
* Difficult to process recovered fibres
* Difficult to identify end of life materials due to different fibre/resin combinations (Fibres embedded within resin)
