Question 1
Question 1
a. What would be the critical length, Lc, for maximum load in a 10-μm-diameter fiber
with a fracture strength of 2 GPa embedded in a matrix such that the shear strength
of the matrix–fiber interface is 80 MPa?
𝝈𝒇 ∗ 𝒅 𝟐 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟑 ∗ 𝟏𝟎 ∗ 𝟏𝟎−𝟑
𝑳𝑪 = = = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝒎𝒎
𝟐 ∗ 𝝉𝒄 𝟐 ∗ 𝟖𝟎
b. Estimate the greatest value of the elastic modulus that can be obtained by long
randomly oriented fibers of E-glass embedded in an epoxy resin if the volume fraction
of fiber is 30%. Assume that the modulus of the epoxy is 6 GPa.
For random orientation
𝟑 𝟓
𝑬𝒇 = ∗ 𝑬𝟏𝟏 + ∗ 𝑬_
𝟖 𝟖
Longitudinal Young’s modulus E11 = 40 GPa
Transverse Young’s modulus E⊥ = 10 GPa
𝟑 𝟓
𝑬𝒇 = ∗ 𝟒𝟎 + ∗ 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟐𝟓𝑮𝑷𝒂
𝟖 𝟖
𝑬𝒄 = 𝑽𝒎 ∗ 𝑬𝒎 + 𝑽𝒇 ∗ 𝑬𝒇
𝑬𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟕 ∗ 𝟔 + 𝟎. 𝟑 ∗ 𝟐𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟓𝑮𝑷𝒂
c. Carbide cutting tools are composites of very hard tungsten carbide particles in a
cobalt matrix. The elastic moduli of tungsten carbide and cobalt are 98 ×106 and 35
× 106 psi, respectively. It was experimentally found that the elastic modulus of
composite containing 50 vol. % carbide was 60 × 106 psi. What value of the exponent
n in Equation (21.26) would this measurement suggest? A trial and error solution is
necessary to solve this. Note that n = 0, is a trivial solution.
𝑬𝒏 = 𝑽𝑨 ∗ 𝑬𝑨 𝟐 + 𝑽𝑩 ∗ 𝑬𝑩𝟐
𝟔𝟎𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟓 ∗ 𝟗𝟖𝒏 + 𝟎. 𝟓 ∗ 𝟑𝟓𝐧
n=0.18256
d. Cite one similarity and two differences between precipitation hardening and
dispersion strengthening:
Question 3
(A)
𝑭𝒇 𝑽𝒇 ∗ 𝑬𝒇
𝟎. 𝟗𝟔 𝟕𝟐. 𝟓 ∗ 𝑽𝒇
= = =
𝑭𝒎 (𝟏 − 𝑽𝒇 ) ∗ 𝑬𝒎 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒 𝟑 ∗ (𝟏 − 𝑽𝒇 )
𝑽𝒇 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟗𝟖 𝑽𝒎 = 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟗𝟖 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟐
𝝈𝒄 = 𝑽𝒎 ∗ 𝝈𝒎 + 𝑽𝒇 ∗ 𝝈𝒇 = 𝟑𝟓 ∗ 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟐 + 𝟑𝟐𝟎𝟎 ∗ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟗𝟖 = 𝟏𝟔𝟏𝟏. 𝟏𝟕𝑴𝑷𝒂
(B)
Question 4
1.
a) Matrix Degradation:
• The matrix material may degrade due to factors like moisture, temperature
changes, or chemical exposure.
• Weakened bond between fibers and matrix allows easier fiber pull-out.
c) Brittle Matrix:
• High stress concentration areas can lead to localized failure, including fiber pull-
out.
• Causes can include design flaws, manufacturing defects, or improper loading.
Equations:
2.
• Choose a matrix material with properties compatible to the fibers for good
adhesion and load transfer.
• Select a matrix with suitable modulus, toughness, and thermal expansion
coefficient to match the fibers.
Question 5
1. A
2. B
3. D
4. B
5. B
6. D
7. D
8. A
9. B
10. D
Multiple-choice question
1) Which of the following statements about metal matrix composite is correct?
c
2) Which statements about longitudinal tensile modulus of unidirectional fiber reinforced
MMC are correct?
a
3) Which statements about pultrusion are correct?
c
4) The mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites are affected by
moisture absorption, the reason are
a
5) The main raw materials for producing carbon fiber are
Completion
1. The matrixes commonly used in composite materials include metal, ceramic, polymer.
2. The expression of maximum normal stress criterion is failure theory (fracture).
3. Delamination failure modes of composite laminates include opening mode, in plane
shear mode, sliding shear mode.
4. The commonly used theoretical models for predicting fatigue life of composite laminates
are stiffness distribution theory, strength degradation theory, uncertainty and
Bayesian based probabilistic theory.
5. The composite materials exhibit apparent viscoelasticity at normal temperature. This
phenomenon isknown as viscoelastic.
6. The main connection types of composite material includes mechanical connections,
bonded connections, combination of mechanical and bonded connections.
7. The heat resistance, aging resistance and flame retardancy performance of the
composites mainlydepend on the properties of the Matrix material.
8. The commonly used composite molding processes include open face molding,
pultrusion, matched die.