Polymer Composites, Macro- and Microcomposites E-Book

• Herausgeber: Wiley-VCH
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 1279

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

The first systematic reference on the topic with an emphasis on the characteristics and dimension of the reinforcement.

This first of three volumes, authored by leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as private research institutions around the globe, focuses on macro and micro composites.

Clearly divided into three sections, the first offers an introduction to polymer composites, discussing the state of the art, new challenges, and opportunities of various polymer composite systems, as well as preparation and manufacturing techniques. The second part looks at macro systems, with an emphasis on fiber reinforced polymer composites, textile composites, and polymer hybrid composites. Likewise, the final section deals with micro systems, including micro particle reinforced polymer composites, the synthesis, surface modification and characterization of micro particulate fillers and flakes as well as filled polymer micro composites, plus applications and the recovery, recycling and life cycle analysis of synthetic polymeric composites.

Leseprobe

Contents

Cover

Related Titles

Title Page

Copyright

The Editors

Preface

List of Contributors

Part One: Introduction to Polymer Composites

Chapter 1: Advances in Polymer Composites: Macro- and Microcomposites – State of the Art, New Challenges, and Opportunities

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Classification of Composites

1.3 Interface Characterization

1.4 New Challenges and Opportunities

References

Chapter 2: Shock and Impact Response of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Analytical Analysis

2.3 Plate-Impact Experiments on GRPs

2.4 Target Assembly

2.5 Experimental Results and Discussion

2.6 Summary

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 3: Interfaces in Macro- and Microcomposites

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Characterization of Interfaces in Macro- and Microcomposites

3.3 Micromechanics-Based Analysis

3.4 Interfacial Damage Modeling

3.5 Summary

References

Chapter 4: Preparation and Manufacturing Techniques for Macro- and Microcomposites

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Thermoplastic Polymer Composites

4.3 Thermosetting Polymer Composites

4.4 Future Trends

Acknowledgment

References

Part Two: Macrosystems: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Chapter 5: Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Preparation, Properties, and Applications

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Backgrounds

5.3 Experimental Part

5.4 Results and Discussion

5.5 Applications

5.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 6: Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Chemical Composition and Types

6.3 Fabrication of Glass Fibers

6.4 Forms of Glass Fibers

6.5 Glass Fiber Properties

6.6 Glass Fibers in Polymer Composites

6.7 Applications

6.8 Summary

References

Chapter 7: Kevlar Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

7.3 Constituents of Polymer Composites

7.4 Kevlar Fiber

7.5 Interface

7.6 Factors Influencing the Composite Properties

7.7 Surface Modification

7.8 Synthetic Fiber-Reinforced Composites

7.9 Effect of Fluorinated and Oxyfluorinated Short Kevlar Fiber on the Properties of Ethylene Propylene Matrix Composites

7.10 Compatibilizing Effect of MA-g-PP on the Properties of Fluorinated and Oxyfluorinated Kevlar Fiber-Reinforced Ethylene Polypropylene Composites

7.11 Properties of Syndiotactic Polystyrene Composites with Surface-Modified Short Kevlar Fiber

7.12 Study on the Mechanical, Rheological, and Morphological Properties of Short Kevlar Fiber/s-PS Composites Effect of Oxyfluorination of Kevlar

7.13 Effect of Fluorinated and Oxyfluorinated Short Kevlar Fiber Reinforcement on the Properties of PC/LCP Blends

7.14 Simulation of Fiber Orientation by Mold Flow Technique

7.15 Kevlar-Reinforced Thermosetting Composites

References

Chapter 8: Polyester Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Synthesis and Basic Properties of Polyester Fibers

8.3 Polyester Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

8.4 Conclusions

References

Chapter 9: Nylon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Nylon Fibers Used as Reinforcements

9.3 Matrices and Applications

9.4 Manufacturing of Nylon-Reinforced Composites

9.5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 10:Polyolefin Fiber- and Tape-Reinforced Polymeric Composites

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Polyolefin Fibers and Tapes

10.3 Polyolefin-Reinforced Thermoplastics

10.4 Polyolefin Fiber-Reinforced Thermosets

10.5 Polyolefin Fibers in Rubbers

10.6 Others

10.7 Outlook and Future Trends

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 11: Silica Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Silica Fiber: General Features

11.3 Silica Fiber-Filled Polymer Composites

11.4 Applications

11.5 New Developments

11.6 Concluding Remarks

References

Part Three: Macrosystems: Textile Composites

Chapter 12: 2D Textile Composite Reinforcement Mechanical Behavior

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Mechanical Behavior of 2D Textile Composite Reinforcements and Specific Experimental Tests

12.3 Continuous Modeling of 2D Fabrics: Macroscopic Scale

12.4 Discrete Modeling of 2D Fabrics: Mesoscopic Scale

12.5 Conclusions and Future Trend

References

Chapter 13: Three Dimensional Woven Fabric Composites

13.1 Introduction

13.2 General Characteristics of 3D Composites

13.3 Formation of 3D Woven Fabrics

13.4 Modeling of 3D Woven Composites

13.5 Failure Behavior of 3D Woven Composites

13.6 Role of Interlacing Loops

13.7 Design of 3D Woven Composites

13.8 Conclusions

References

Chapter 14: Polymer Composites as Geotextiles

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Developments of Composite Geotextiles

14.3 Hybrid Composite Geotextiles

14.4 Performance Evaluation of Composite Geotextiles

References

Chapter 15: Hybrid Textile Polymer Composites

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Textile Composites

15.3 Hybrid Textile Composites

15.4 Hybrid Textile Joints

15.5 Conclusion

References

Part Four: Microsystems : Microparticle-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Chapter 16: Characterization of Injection-Molded Parts with Carbon Black-Filled Polymers

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Injection-Molded Carbon-Filled Polymers

16.3 Processes and Characterization

16.4 Mechanical Property Mapping of Carbon-Filled Polymer Composites by TPM

16.5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 17: Carbon Black-Filled Natural Rubber Composites: Physical Chemistry and Reinforcing Mechanism

17.1 Introduction

17.2 3D-TEM Observation of Nanofiller-Loaded Vulcanized Rubber

17.3 Materials: CB-Filled Sulfur-Cured NR Vulcanizates

17.4 Relationship Between the Properties of CB-Filled Sulfur-Cured NR Vulcanizates and CB Loading

17.5 CB Dispersion and Aggregate/Agglomerate Structure in CB-Filled NR Vulcanizates

17.6 Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 18: Silica-Filled Polymer Microcomposites

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Silica as a Filler: General Features

18.3 Silica-Filled Rubbers

18.4 Silica-Filled Thermoplastics and Thermosets

18.5 Concluding Remarks

References

Chapter 19: Metallic Particle-Filled Polymer Microcomposites

19.1 Introduction

19.2 Metallic Filler and Production Methods

19.3 Achieved Properties of Metallic Filled Polymer

19.4 Main Factors Influencing Properties

19.5 Models for Physical Property Prediction

19.6 Conclusion

References

Chapter 20: Magnetic Particle-Filled Polymer Microcomposites

20.1 Introduction

20.2 Basic Components of Polymer Magnetic Composites: Materials Selection

20.3 Overview of Methods for the Characterization of Materials in the Radiofrequency and Microwave Bands

20.4 Magnetization Processes in Bulk Magnetic Materials

20.5 Magnetization Processes in Polymer Magnetic Composites

20.6 Polymer Magnetic Composites with High Value of Permeability in the Radiofrequency and Microwave Bands

20.7 Conclusions

Acknowledgment

References

Chapter 21: Mica-Reinforced Polymer Composites

21.1 Introduction

21.2 Structure and Properties of Mica

21.3 Mechanical Properties of Mica–Polymer Composites

21.4 Thermal Properties

21.5 Other Properties

21.6 Modeling of Mechanical Properties

21.7 Conclusions

References

Chapter 22: Viscoelastically Prestressed Polymeric Matrix Composites

22.1 Introduction

22.2 Preliminary Investigations: Evidence of Viscoelastically Generated Prestress

22.3 Time–Temperature Aspects of VPPMC Technology

22.4 VPPMCs with Higher Fiber Content: Mechanical Properties

22.5 Processing Aspects of VPPMCs

22.6 Mechanisms for Improved Mechanical Properties in VPPMCs

22.7 Potential Applications

22.8 Summary and Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 23: Applications of Macro- and Microfiller-Reinforced Polymer Composites

23.1 Introduction

23.2 Some Features of Polymer Composites

23.3 Transportation

23.4 Biomedical Applications

23.5 Civil Engineering, Construction

23.6 Electric and Electronic Applications

23.7 Mechanical Engineering, Tribological Applications

23.8 Recreation, Sport Equipments

23.9 Other Applications

23.10 Conclusion

References

Index

Related Titles

Nicolais, L., Carotenuto, G.

Nanocomposites

In Situ Synthesis of Polymer-Embedded Nanostructures

2012

ISBN: 978-0-470-10952-6

Thomas, S., Stephen, R.

Rubber Nanocomposites

Preparation, Properties and Applications

2010

ISBN: 978-0-470-82345-3

Nwabunma, D., Kyu, T. (eds.)

Polyolefin Blends and Composites

2008

ISBN: 978-0-470-19614-4

Nwabunma, D., Kyu, T. (eds.)

Polyolefin Composites

2008

ISBN: 978-0-471-79057-0

Klyosov, A. A.

Wood-Plastic Composites

2007

ISBN: 978-0-470-14891-4

Morgan, A. B., Wilkie, C. A. (eds.)

Flame Retardant Polymer Nanocomposites

2007

ISBN: 978-0-471-73426-0

Wereszczak, A., Lara-Curzio, E., Mizuno, M. (eds.)

Advances in Bioceramics and Biocomposites II, Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings

Volume 27, Issue 6

2007

ISBN: 978-0-470-08056-6

Kickelbick, G. (ed.)

Hybrid Materials

Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

2007

ISBN: 978-3-527-31299-3

All books published by Wiley-VCH are carefully produced. Nevertheless, authors, editors, and publisher do not warrant the information contained in these books, including this book, to be free of errors. Readers are advised to keep in mind that statements, data, illustrations, procedural details or other items may inadvertently be inaccurate.

Library of Congress Card No.: applied for

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek

The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.

© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co. KGaA, Boschstr. 12, 69469 Weinheim, Germany

All rights reserved (including those of translation into other languages). No part of this book may be reproduced in any form – by photoprinting, microfilm, or any other means – nor transmitted or translated into a machine language without written permission from the publishers. Registered names, trademarks, etc. used in this book, even when not specifically marked as such, are not to be considered unprotected by law.

Composition Thomson Digital, Noida, India

Printing and Binding

Cover Design Adam Design, Weinheim

Printed in Singapore

Printed on acid-free paper

Print ISBN: 978-3-527-32624-2

The Editors

Sabu Thomas is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at Mahatma Gandhi University (India). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences. Thomas has published over 430 papers in peer reviewed journals on polymer composites, membrane separation, polymer blend and alloy, and polymer recycling research and has edited 17 books. He has supervised 60 doctoral students.

Kuruvilla Joseph is a Professor of Chemistry at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (India). He has held a number of visiting research fellowships and has published over 50 papers on polymer composites and blends.

S. K. Malhotra is Chief Design Engineer and Head of the Composites Technology Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He has published over 100 journal and proceedings papers on polymer and alumina-zirconia composites.

Koichi Goda is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Yamaguchi University. His major scientific fields of interest are reliability and engineering analysis of composite materials and development and evaluation of environmentally friendly and other advanced composite materials.

M. S. Sreekala is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Post Graduate Department of Chemistry, SreeSankara College, Kalady (India). She has published over 40 paperson polymer composites (including biodegradable and green composites) in peer reviewed journals and has held a number of Scientific Positions and Research Fellowships including those from the Humboldt Foundation, Germany and Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Japan.

Preface

Composite materials, usually man-made, are a three-dimensional combination of at least two chemically distinct materials, with a distinct interface separating the components, created to obtain properties that cannot be achieved by any of the components acting alone. In composites, at least one of the components called the?reinforcing phase is in the form of fibers, sheets, or particles and is embedded in the other materials called the matrix phase. The reinforcing material and the matrix material can be metal, ceramic, or polymer. Very often commercially produced composites make use of polymers as the matrix material. Typically, reinforcing materials are strong with low densities, while the matrix is usually a ductile, or tough, material. If the composite is designed and fabricated adequately, it combines the strength of the reinforcement with the toughness of the matrix to achieve a?combination of desirable properties not available in any single conventional material.

The present book focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer composites with macro- and microfillers. It examines the different types of fillers especially as the reinforcing agents. The text reviews the interfaces in macro- and microcomposites and their characterization. Advanced applications of macro- and micropolymer composites are discussed in detail. This book carefully analyses the effect of surface modification of fillers on properties and chemistry and reinforcing mechanism of composites. It also introduces recovery, recycling, and life cycle analysis of synthetic polymeric composites.

The book is organized into five parts. Part One contains four chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction to composites, classification, and characteristic features of polymer composites, their applications in various fields, state of the art, and new challenges and opportunities.

Chapter 2 focuses on micro- and macromechanics of polymer composites. Knowledge of micro- and macromechanics is essential for understanding the behavior, analysis, and design of polymer composite products for engineering applications.

Chapter 3 deals with interfaces in macro- and microcomposites. Interface plays a big role in physical and mechanical behavior of polymer composites. It deals with the various techniques and analyses of the interfacial properties of various polymer composite materials.

Chapter 4 describes various preparation and manufacturing techniques for polymer composites starting with simplest hand lay-up (contact molding) to sophisticated autoclave molding and CNC filament winding methods.

Part Two deals with fiber-reinforced polymer composites and Part Three discusses textile composites.

Each of the seven chapters included in Part Two deals with a particular fiber as reinforcement for polymer matrices. These fibers are carbon, glass, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, polyolefin, and silica.

Each of the four chapters included in Part Three deals with a particular form of textiles as reinforcement. These textiles are 2D woven fabric, 3D woven fabric, geotextiles, and hybrid textiles.

The first five chapters included in Part Four deal with different microsized fillers reinforcing the polymer matrix. Different microparticulate fillers include carbon black, silica, metallic particles, magnetic particles, mica (flakes), and so on. The last chapter of this part deals with viscoelastically prestressed polymer composites.

Finally, Part Five studies applications of macro- and microfiller-reinforced polymer composites. Polymer composites find applications in all types of engineering industry, namely, aerospace, automobile, chemical, civil, mechanical, electrical, and so on. They also find applications in consumer durables, sports goods, biomedical, and many more areas.

Sabu Thomas, Kuruvilla Joseph,Sant Kumar Malhotra, Koichi Goda,and Meyyarappallil Sadasivan Sreekala

List of Contributors

Boudjemaa AgoudjilUniversité El-Hadj-Lakhdar-BatnaLPEA1, rue Boukhlouf Med El-Hadi05000 BatnaAlgeria

Tamás BárányBudapest University of Technology and EconomicsDepartment of Polymer EngineeringMüegyetem rkp. 31111 BudapestHungary

Philippe BoisseINSA LyonLaMCoSBat Jacquard27 Avenue Jean Capelle69621 Villeurbanne CedexFrance

Abderrahim BoudenneUniversité Paris-Est Val de MarneCERTES61 Av. du Général de gaulle94010 Créteil CédexFrance

Valerio CausinUniversità di PadovaDipartimento di Scienze ChimicheVia Marzolo 135131 PadovaItaly

Mark ChristopherUniversity of WaikatoDepartment of EngineeringGate 1 Knighton RoadPrivate Bag 3105Hamilton 3240New Zealand

Tibor CzigányBudapest University of Technology and EconomicsDepartment of Polymer EngineeringMuegyetem rkp. 31111 BudapestHungary

Chapal K. DasIndian Institute of TechnologyMaterials Science CentreKharagpur 721302India

Tamás DeákBudapest University of Technology and EconomicsDepartment of Polymer EngineeringMuegyetem rkp. 31111 BudapestHungary

Kevin S. FanceyUniversity of HullDepartment of EngineeringCottingham RoadHull HU6 7RXUK

Bertrand GarnierEcole Polytechnique de l'université de NantesLTN-UMR CNRS6607Rue Christian Pauc, BP 5060944306 Nantes Cdx 03France

Koichi GodaYamaguchi UniversityDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringTokiwadaiUbe 755-8611YamaguchiJapan

Hajnalka HargitaiSzéchenyi István UniversityDepartment of Materials and Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering9026 Györ Egyetem tér 1Hungary

Sebastian HeimbsEuropean Aeronautic Defence and Space CompanyInnovation Works81663 MunichGermany

Yuko IkedaKyoto Institute of TechnologyGraduate School of Science and TechnologyMatsugasakiKyoto 606-8585Japan

Han-Yong JeonInha UniversityDivision of Nano-Systems Engineering253, Yonghyun-dong, Nam-gu Incheon 402-751South Korea

Josmin P. JoseMahatma Gandhi UniversitySchool of Chemical SciencesPolymer Science & TechnologyPriyadarshini HillsKottayam 686560KeralaIndia

Kuruvilla JosephIndian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)Department of Chemistry Valiamala P.O. Thiruvananthapuram 695547KeralaIndia

József Karger-KocsisBudapest University of Technology and EconomicsDepartment of Polymer EngineeringMüegyetem rkp. 31111 BudapestHungaryandTshwane University of TechnologyFaculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentPolymer TechnologyP.O. X6800001 PretoriaRepublic of South Africa

Atsushi KatoNISSAN ARC, Ltd.Research DepartmentNatsushima-cho 1YokosukaKanagawa 237-0061Japan

Natalie E. KazantsevaTomas Bata University in ZlinFaculty of TechnologyPolymer CenterT.G. Masaryk Sq. 5555760 01 ZlinCzech Republic

Bong-Rae KimKorea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering373-1 Guseong-dongYuseong-guDaejeon 305-701South Korea

Shinzo KohjiyaKyoto Institute of TechnologyGraduate School of Science and TechnologyMatsugasakiKyoto 606-8585Japan

Wen-Shyong KuoFeng Chia UniversityDepartment of Aerospace and Systems EngineeringNo. 100 Wenhwa RoadSeatwenTaichung 40724Taiwan R.O.C.

Haeng-Ki LeeKorea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering373-1 Guseong-dongYuseong-guDaejeon 305-701South Korea

Xianping LiuUniversity of WarwickSchool of EngineeringCoventry CV4 7ALUK

Sant Kumar MalhotraComposites Technology CentreIIT MadrasChennai 600036Tamil NaduIndia

Sreekala M. S.Assistant ProfessorPost Graduate Department of ChemistrySreeSankara College, KaladyKerala 683574India

Dionysis E. MouzakisTechnological Educational Institute of LarisaSchool of Technological ApplicationsDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringT.E.I. of Larisa411 10 LarisaGreece

Ganesh C. NayakIndian Institute of TechnologyMaterials Science CentreKharagpur 721302India

Soo-Jin ParkInha UniversityDepartment of Chemistry253, Yonghyun-dong, Nam-guIncheon 402-751South Korea

Volker PiotterKarlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)Institute for Applied MaterialsHermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 176344 Eggenstein-LeopoldshafenGermany

Laly A. PothanBishop Moore CollegeDepartment of ChemistryMavelikara 690101KeralaIndia

Vikas PrakashCase Western Reserve UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering10900 Euclid Avenue418 Glennan Building LC-7222Cleveland, OH 44106-7222USA

Jürgen ProkopKarlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)Institute for Applied MaterialsHermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 176344 Eggenstein-LeopoldshafenGermany

Ilona RáczBay Zoltán Institute for Materials Science and TechnologyFehérvári u. 1301116 BudapestHungary

Rathanasamy RajasekarIndian Institute of TechnologyMaterials Science CentreKharagpur 721302India

Sudip RayUniversity of AucklandSchool of Chemical SciencesPrivate Bag 92019Auckland 1142New Zealand

Min-Kang SeoJeonju Institute of Machinery and Carbon CompositesAircraft Parts Division750-1, Palbok-dongDeokjin-guJeonju 561-844South Korea

Palanisamy SivasubramanianDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringSaintGITS College of EngineeringPathamuttomKottayam-686532KeralaIndia

Meyyarappallil Sadasivan SreekalaDepartment of Polymer Science and Rubber TechnologyCochin University of science and TechnologyCochin- 682022KeralaIndia

M. ThiruchitrambalamDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringTamilnadu College of EngineeringCoimbatoreamilnaduIndia

Sabu ThomasMahatma Gandhi UniversitySchool of Chemical SciencesKottayam 686560KeralaIndia

Björn Van Den BrouckeEuropean Aeronautic Defence and Space CompanyInnovation Works81663 MunichGermany

John VerbeekUniversity of WaikatoDepartment of EngineeringGate 1 Knighton RoadPrivate Bag 3105Hamilton 3240New Zealand

Emmanuelle Vidal-SalléINSA LyonLaMCoSBat Jacquard27 Avenue Jean Capelle69621 Villeurbanne CedexFrance

Part One

Introduction to Polymer Composites

Chapter 1

Advances in Polymer Composites: Macro- and Microcomposites – State of the Art, New Challenges, and Opportunities

Josmin P. Jose, Sant Kumar Malhotra, Sabu Thomas, Kuruvilla Joseph, Koichi Goda, and Meyyarappallil Sadasivan Sreekala

1.1 Introduction

Composites can be defined as materials that consist of two or more chemically and physically different phases separated by a distinct interface. The different systems are combined judiciously to achieve a system with more useful structural or functional properties nonattainable by any of the constituent alone. Composites, the wonder materials are becoming an essential part of today's materials due to the advantages such as low weight, corrosion resistance, high fatigue strength, and faster assembly. They are extensively used as materials in making aircraft structures, electronic packaging to medical equipment, and space vehicle to home building [1]. The basic difference between blends and composites is that the two main constituents in the composites remain recognizable while these may not be recognizable in blends. The predominant useful materials used in our day-to-day life are wood, concrete, ceramics, and so on. Surprisingly, the most important polymeric composites are found in nature and these are known as natural composites. The connective tissues in mammals belong to the most advanced polymer composites known to mankind where the fibrous protein, collagen is the reinforcement. It functions both as soft and hard connective tissue.

Composites are combinations of materials differing in composition, where the individual constituents retain their separate identities. These separate constituents act together to give the necessary mechanical strength or stiffness to the composite part. Composite material is a material composed of two or more distinct phases (matrix phase and dispersed phase) and having bulk properties significantly different from those of any of the constituents. Matrix phase is the primary phase having a continuous character. Matrix is usually more ductile and less hard phase. It holds the dispersed phase and shares a load with it. Dispersed (reinforcing) phase is embedded in the matrix in a discontinuous form. This secondary phase is called the dispersed phase. Dispersed phase is usually stronger than the matrix, therefore, it is sometimes called reinforcing phase.

Composites in structural applications have the following characteristics:

They generally consist of two or more physically distinct and mechanically separable materials.They are made by mixing the separate materials in such a way as to achieve controlled and uniform dispersion of the constituents.They have superior mechanical properties and in some cases uniquely different from the properties of their constituents [2].

Wood is a natural composite of cellulose fibers in a matrix of lignin. Most primitive man-made composite materials were straw and mud combined to form bricks for building construction. Most visible applications pave our roadways in the form of either steel and aggregate reinforced Portland cement or asphalt concrete. Reinforced concrete is another example of composite material. The steel and concrete retain their individual identities in the finished structure. However, because they work together, the steel carries the tension loads and concrete carries the compression loads.

Most advanced examples perform routinely on spacecraft in demanding environments. Advanced composites have high-performance fiber reinforcements in a polymer matrix material such as epoxy. Examples are graphite/epoxy, Kevlar/epoxy, and boron/epoxy composites. Advanced composites are traditionally used in the aerospace industries, but these materials have now found applications in commercial industries as well.

1.2 Classification of Composites

On the basis of matrix phase, composites can be classified into metal matrix composites (MMCs), ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) () [3]. The classifications according to types of reinforcement are particulate composites (composed of particles), fibrous composites (composed of fibers), and laminate composites (composed of laminates). Fibrous composites can be further subdivided on the basis of natural/biofiber or synthetic fiber. Biofiber encompassing composites are referred to as biofiber composites. They can be again divided on the basis of matrix, that is, nonbiodegradable matrix and biodegradable matrix [4]. Bio-based composites made from natural/biofiber and biodegradable polymers are referred to as green composites. These can be further subdivided as hybrid composites and textile composites. Hybrid composites comprise of a combination of two or more types of fibers.