AE-681 Composite Materials

Instructor: Dr. PM Mohite

Office: AE-11, Aerospace Engineering
Email: mohite@iitk.ac.in
Ph: 6024
Course Credits: 4
LTPD: 3-0-0-0

Course Content:
• Introduction, Definition, classification, behaviors of
unidirectional composites
• Analysis of lamina; constitutive classical laminate
theory, thermal stresses,
•Design consideration, analysis of laminates after initial failure,
interlaminar stresses, fracture mechanics, joints and experimental
characterization,
• Micromechanics
• Factors influencing strength and stiffness failure modes,
• Performance under adverse environment
 AE-681 Composite Materials
Reference Books/Material:
• Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, CT Herakovich.
• Analysis and Performance of Fibre Composites, BD Agarwal and LJ
Broutman.
• Mechanics of Composite Materials, RM Christensen.
• Any other book on composite materials
• Research papers

Grading Policy:
Midsem I + II:
Assignments: 20% 40%
(Individual + Group)
Endsem: 40%

• Absolute 40% for passing. Relative grading after that.

•Assignments should be submitted on due date by 5.00 pm. Late
submission and copying will be heavily penalized !
• Attendance will be monitored regularly.
About Fibrous Composites
Composite: Formal Definition and History
What is composite?
Definition:
•A material which is composed of two or more materials at a microscopic
scale and have chemically distinct phases.
•Heterogeneous at a microscopic scale but statically homogeneous at
macroscopic scale.
• Constituent materials have significantly different
properties.
Classification of certain materials as a composite:

1. Combination of materials should result in significant property changes

2. Content of the constituents is generally more than 10%
3. In general, property of one constituent is much greater (≥ 5) than the
other
Composite: Formal Definition
History: Oldest application/existence of composite material?

4000 B.C. – laminated writing material from the papyrus

plant 1300 B.C. – Egyptians and Mesopotamian used straw
bricks 1200 A.D. - Mongols invented the first composite bow
Composite: Formal Definition and History
Composite Bow – dates back to 3000 BC (Angara
Dating) Materials Used:
Wood, Horn, Sinew (Tendon), Leather, Bamboo
and Antler (Deer horn)

Horn and Antler: naturally flexible and resilient

Sinews: back tendons or hamstrings of cows and

deer Glue: From bladder of fish

Strings: Sinew, Horse hair, Silk

Overall processing time was

almost a year !

Source: http://medieval2.heavengames.com
Composite: Formal Definition and History
Composite Bow – dates back to 3000 BC (Angara
Dating)
Evolution of Materials

Source: MF Ashby. Phil. Trans R. Soc. London A 1987(332):393-

407.
Composite: Examples from Day-to-Day Life
Examples:
1. Straw-bricks
2. Concrete
3. Wood
(cellulose + lignin)
4. Human body
(muscles + bones)
5. Tyres
6. Plywood
7. Sports good
…………………
…
Evolution of Materials
Use of Modern (Polymer) Composites:
During World War II –
Military application
Non-metallic shielding of Radomes
(to house electronic radar equipments)
Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GFRP)
The first application of wood - composite laminates in -
Havilland Mosquito Fighter/Bomber of British Royal Air-Force
Evolution of Materials
Use of Modern (Polymer) Composites:
During World War II –
Attack on Pearl Harbour by
Japanese Torpedo bomber

Sopwith Cuckoo Fairey Swordfish

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpedo_bomber
Composite: Necessicity
Why do you need composite materials?

Enhanced desired properties !

What are these desired properties?
• Strength
• Stiffness
• Toughness
• Corrosion resistance
• Wear resistance
• Reduced weight
• Fatigue life
• Thermal/Electrical insulation and conductivity
• Acoustic insulation
• Energy dissipation
• Attractiveness, cost, ……………………..
• Tailorable properties
Composite: Necessicity
High Fatigue Life:
200.0 § 1379.
§
180.0 § 1241.
§

160.0 §
1103.
§
§
140.0 © © ©
§ © © 965.
©
§ ©
© ©
§ ©
120.0 §
©© 827.
©
§ ©
©
100.0 §
§
©
© 690.
S (Ksi)
§
§
© ©
© (MPa)
§ © ©
80.0 § 552.
§
ø E-GI/Ep §
§
60.0 θ θ θ θ § 414.
θ θ
§ §
øø ø ø θ
θ §
θ 2024-T3 AL øø θ §
§
ø 276.
40.0 § S-GI/Ep ø ø θ θ
θ
§
§
ø ø §
© ø øθ ø θ § § §
B/AL θ
20.0 B/Ep θ ø
θ
θ θ
138.
θ
Kevlar/Ep ø ø ø ø ø
0.0 C/Ep 0.0
2.00 3.00 7.00
4.00 5.00 6.00
N (10x cycles)
Source: Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, CT Herakovich, Wiley 1998.
Composite: Necessicity
High Specific Strength and Modulus:

18.0

IM8
15.0
Kevlar
12.0
T300 & AS4
 ult / 
9.00
S-2 Glass
Boron
6.00 SCS-6 P 100
Sapphir
3.00
Nicalon e
FP
Al
0.0 Metals
0.0 10.0 15.0
5.00
E/
Source: Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, CT Herakovich, Wiley
1998.
Composite: Necessicity
Stress strain curve for fibres:
3
750. 5171.

4
5
6 1
500. 3448.

MPa
 ( ksi ) 2 1
2
AS4
P100
7 3 IM8
250. 4 Boro 1724.
8 5 n
6 Kevlar
7 SCS-6
8 Nicalo
9 n
FP Al
S glass
0.0 Sapphire
0.0 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00

 (%)

Source: Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, CT Herakovich, Wiley

1998.
Composite: Constituents
What are the constituents in a composite
material?

1. Reinforcement:
discontinuous
stronger
harder

2. Matrix:
Continuous

What are the functions of a

reinforcement?
1. Contribute desired
properties
2. Load carrying
3. Transfer the
strength to matrix
Composite: Constituents
What are the functions of a matrix?

1. Holds the fibres together

2. Protects the fibres from environment
3. Protects the fibres from abrasion (with each other)
4. Helps to maintain the distribution of fibres
5. Distributes the loads evenly between fibres
6. Enhances some of the properties of the resulting material and structural
component (that fibre alone is not able to impart). These properties
are such as:
transverse strength of a
lamina Impact resistance
7. Provides better finish to final product
Classification of Composites
Based on the type of matrix material
Classification of Composites
Based on the form of reinforcement

• Fibre - a filament with L/D very high (of the order 1000)
• A composite with fibre-reinforcement is called Fibrous Composite

• Particle – non fibrous with no long dimension

• A composite with particles as reinforcement is called Particulate
Composite

• Whiskers – nearly perfect single crystal fibre

• Short, discontinuous, polygonal cross-section
Classification of Composites
Based on the
form of reinforcement

Interest of this
course !
Classification of Composites
Based on the form of reinforcement
Fibres as a Reinforcement
Fibre reinforced composites is the interest of this course !

Why do you make fibre reinforcements of a thin diameter?

1. As the diameter decreases the inherent flaws in the
material also decreases and the strength increases.

E De Lamotte, AJ Perry. Fibre Science and Technology, 1970;3(2):157-166.

Fibres as a Reinforcement
2. For better load transfer from matrix to fibre composites require
larger surface area of the fibre matrix interface.

Fibre matrix interface area: A=NπDL

(N – No. of fibres, D – fibre diameter, L – length of fibres)

Replace D by d (smaller diameter fibres)

For same Fibre Volume Fraction*: n = N(D/d)2

New fibre matrix interface area: A= N π D2 L/d = 4 * Volume of fibres / d

Thus, for a given fibre volume fraction, the area of the fibre-matrix interface is
inversely proportional to the diameter of the fibre.
* Fibre Volume Fraction (Vf) = Volume of fibres/Volume of composite
Matrix Volume Fraction (Vm) = Volume of matrix/Volume of composite
Vf + Vm = 1
Fibres as a Reinforcement
3. The fibres should be flexible/pliant so that they can be bend easily without
breaking. For example, woven fibre composites needs flexible fibres.

Flexibility is defined as inverse of bending stiffness.

Consider a fibre as beam under pure bending,

then EI – Bending stiffness or Flexural
rigidity

Flexibility α 1/EI

where, I = π d4/64

Flexibility α 1/Ed4

Thus, flexibility of a fibre is inversely proportional to 4th power of the fibre

diameter.
Types of Fibres
1. Advanced Fibres:

Fibres possessing high specific stiffness [E/ρ] and specific strength

[σ/ρ])

a) Glass

b) Carbon

c) Organic

d) Ceramic
Types of Fibres
2. Natural Fibres:
a) Animal fibres
i) Silk ii) Wool iii) Spider silk
iv) Sinew v) Camel hair vi)

b) Vegetable fibres
i) Cotton ii) Jute iii) Bamboo
iv) Sisal v) Maze vi) Hemp
vii) Sugarcane viii) Banana ix) Ramie
x) Kapok xi) Coir xii) Abaca
xii) Kenaf xiv) Flax xv) Raffia palm…………..

c) Mineral fibres
i) Asbestos ii) Basalt
iii) Mineral wool iv) Glass wool
Types of Fibres

Used for Advanced

fibres

Conventional Metals
Advanced Fibres
Glass fibres:
•ancient Egyptians made containers from coarse fibres drawn from
heat- softened glass
• produced by extruding molten glass at 1200ºC
• passed through spinnerets of 1-2 mm diameter
• then drawing the filaments to produce fibres of diameter between 1-5 μm
•individual filament is small in diameter, isotropic in behaviour and
very flexible
• variety of forms:
E glass: high strength and high resistivity
S2 glass: high strength, modulus and stability under
extreme temperature, corrosive environment
R glass: enhanced mechanical properties
C glass: resists corrosion in an acid environment
D glass: dielectric properties
• In general, glass fibres are isotropic in nature
Advanced Fibres
Carbon fibres:
• carbon- carbon covalent bond is the strongest in
nature Guess who made the first carbon fibre?
Thomas Edison made carbon fibre from bamboo when
experimenting for light bulb !

What is the difference between carbon and graphite fibres?

- Carbon fibre contains 80-95 % of carbon and graphite fibre contains
more than 99% carbon
- carbon fibre is produced at 1300ºC while graphite fibre is produced
in excess of 1900ºC

Caution ! - In general term carbon fibre is used for both

fibres Made from two types of precursor materials:

1) Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
(PAN Based)
2) Rayon Pitch - residue of petroleum
Advanced Fibres
Carbon fibres:
• Precursor fiber is carbonized rather then melting
•Filaments are made by controlled pyrolysis (chemical deposition by heat) of
a precursor material in fiber form by heat treatment at temperature 1000-3000º
C
•Different fibers have different morphology, origin, size and shape. The
morphology is very dependent on the manufacturing process.
• The size of individual filament ranges from 3 to 14 µm. Hence, very flexible.
•Maximum temperature of use of the fibers ranges from 250 ºC to 2000
ºC. Properties changes with temperature at higher temperature.
•The maximum temperature of use of a composite is controlled by the use
temperature of the matrix
•Modulus and strength is controlled by the process-thermal decomposition of
the organic precursor under well controlled conditions of temperature and stress
• Heterogeneous microstructure consisting of numerous lamellar ribbons
• Thus, carbon fibers are anisotropic in nature
Advanced Fibres
Organic fibres: Aramid fibres
• Aromatic polyamide – family of nylons.
• Polyamide 6 = nylon 6, Polyamide 6.6 = nylon 6.6
• Melt-spun from a liquid solution
•Morphology – radially arranged crystalline sheets resulting into
anisotropic properties
• Filament diameter about 12 µm and partially flexible
• High tensile strength
• Intermediate modulus
• Very low elongation up to breaking point
• Significantly lower strength in compression
• Du Pont developed these fibers under the trade name Kevlar. From poly (p-
Phenylene terephthalamide (PPTA) polymer
• 5 grades of Kevlar with varying engineering properties are
available kevlar-29, Kevlar-49, Kevlar-100, Kevlar-119,
Kevlar-129
Advanced Fibres
Ceramic Fibres: Boron

It was the first advanced fibre developed for structural application (Talley
1959)

• Ceramic monofilament fiber

• Manufactured by CVD on to a tungsten core of 12 µm diameter

Tungsten
Boron

• Fiber itself is a composite

• Circular cross section
• Fiber diameter ranges between 33 -
400µm and typical diameter is 140µm
• Boron is brittle hence large diameter
results in lower flexibility
Advanced Fibres
Ceramic Fibres: Boron

•Thermal coefficient mismatch between boron and tungsten results in

thermal residual stresses during fabrication cool down to room temperature
• When coated with Sic or B4C can be used to reinforce light alloys
• Strong in both tension and compression
• Exhibit linear axial stress-strain relationship up to 650ºC
• High cost of production
Advanced Fibres
Ceramic fibres: Alumina (Al2O3)

•These are ceramics fabricated by spinning a slurry mix of alumina particles

and additives to form a yarn which is then subjected to controlled heating.
• Fibers retain strength at high temperature
Advanced Fibres
Ceramic fibres: Silicon Carbide (SiC)

First method: CVD on tungsten or carbon

- Carbon – pyrolytic graphite coated carbon core SCS-6
- This fiber is similar in size and microstructure to boron
- Relativity stiff, size of 140 µm

Second method: (Nicalon by Japan)

- Controlled pyrolysis (chemical deposition by heat) of a
polymeric precursor
- filament is similar to carbon fiber in size.
- Size ≈ 14 µm
- more flexible
•SiC shows high structural stability and strength retention even at
temperature above 1000ºC
Cross Sectional Shapes of Fibres
Shape Examples

Circular:
Glass, Carbon, Organic fibres,
Alumina, Silicon Carbide

Elliptical:
Alumina, Mullite

Triangular:
Silk, Silicon Carbide whiskers
Cross Sectional Shapes of Fibres

Shape Examples

Hexagonal:
Sapphire (Al2O3) whiskers

Rounded Trianagular:
Sapphire (Al2O3) single crystal fibre

Kideney bean:
Carbon

Trilobal:
Carbon, Rayon
Types of Matrix Materials
Polymers:
Thermoplastic: Soften upon heating and can be reshaped with heat &
pressure
Thermosetting: become cross linked during fabrication & do
not soften upon reheating

Metals:

Ceramics:

Carbon
and
Graphite:
Types of Matrix Materials
Thermoplastics:
polypropylene,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
nylon,
polyurethane,
poly-ether-ether ketone (PEEK),
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),
polysulpone

• higher toughness
• high volume
• low- cost processing
• Temperature range ≥ 225ºC
Types of Matrix Materials
Thermoplastics:
Thermoplastics are increasingly used over thermosets becuase of the following
reasons:

•Processing is faster than thermoset composites since no curing reaction

is required. Thermoplastic composites require only heating, shaping and
cooling.
• Better properties:
- high toughness (delamination resistance) and damage tolerance,
- low moisture absorption
- chemical resistance
• They have low toxity.

• Cost is high !
Types of Matrix Materials
Thermosets:
polyesters,
epoxies,
polyimides
Other resins

Polyesters:
• Low cost
• Good mechanical
strength
• Low viscosity and
versatility
• Good electrical
properties
• Good heat
resistance
• Cold and hot
molding
Types of Matrix Materials
Thermosets:
Epoxy:

• Epoxy resins are widely used for most advanced

composites.

Advantages:

• Low shrinkage during curing

• High strength and flexibility
• Adjustable curing range
• Better adhesion between fibre and matrix
• Better electrical properties
• Resistance to chemicals and solvents
Types of Matrix Materials
Thermosets:
Epoxy:

Disadvantages:

• somewhat toxic in nature

• limited temperature application range upto 175°C
• moisture absorption affecting dimensional properties
• high thermal coefficient of expansion
• slow curing
Types of Matrix Materials
Thermosets:
Polyimides:

• Excellent mechanical strength

•Excellent strength retention for long term in 260-315°C (500-600°F)
range and short term in 370°C (700°F) range
• Excellent electrical properties
• Good fire resistance and low smoke emission
• Hot molding under pressure and
• Curing temperature is 175°C (350°F) and 315°C
Types of Matrix Materials
Problems with using polymer matrix
materials:
• Limited temperature range
•Susceptibility to environmental degradation due to moisture, radiation,
atomic oxygen (in space)
• Low transverse strength
• High residual stress due to large mismatch coefficients of thermal
in
expansion both fiber and matrix
•Polymer matrix can not be used near or above the glass transition
temperature
Types of Matrix Materials
Metals:
Aluminum
Titanium
Copper

• Higher use
temperature
range
Aluminum matrix composite – use temperature range above 300ºC
and titanium at 800 ºC
•Higher transfer strength, toughness( in contrast with brittle behavior
of polymers and ceramics)
• The absence of moisture & high thermal conductivity (copper)

Disadvantages:
• Heavier
•More susceptible to interface degradation at the fiber/matrix interface and
to corrosion
Types of Matrix Materials
Ceramics:
Carbon,
Silicon carbide and
Silicon nitride

• Ceramic have use very

high temperature range >
2000 ºC
• High elastic modulus
• Low density

Disadvantages:
• brittleness
• Susceptible to flows
Types of Matrix Materials
Carbon:
carbon fibres in carbon matrix – carbon/carbon composites
used under extreme mechanical and thermal loads (space
applications) Advantages:
• Low specific weight
• High heat absorption capacity
• Resistance to thermal shock
• High resistance to damage
• Exceptional frictional properties at high energy levels
• Resistance to high temperatures
• Chemical inertness
• low coefficient of thermal expansion (excellent dimensional stability)

Disadvantages:
• low resistance to oxidation above 500°C
• high cost of materials and manufacturing
Properties of Fibre and Matrix Materials
Forms of Fibrous Composites
Layered composites:

Layer
Lamina any of the term is used
Ply

Axial – along fibre length (1)

Transverse – perpendicular
to fibre length
2 – in-plane transverse
3 – out of plane transverse
Forms of Fibrous Composites
Layered composites:

Laminate
Forms of Fibrous Composites
Woven Bi-directional composite:

Three types of weave

Our interest is lamina and laminate !

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/638448/weaving
Types of Fibrous Composites
Fibre and Matrix Systems:

Notation:
fibre/matrix
carbon/epoxy, glass/epoxy, Kevlar/epoxy
proportion of contents must be mentioned (volume
fraction)

Examples:
AS4/PEEK,
T300/5208
Carbon Composites
T700/M21
IM8/
Epoxy
Kevlar/Epoxy
Boron/Al
SCS-6/Ti-15-
3
S2
Glass/Epoxy
Properties of Fibrous Composites
•Reduction in properties
Compared to reinforcement
properties

• Axial along fibre length

•Transverse
perpendicular to fibre
• Degree of orthotropy
Properties of Fibrous Composites
Parameters affecting the properties of fibrous
composites:
1. Length of the fibre

2. Orientation of the fibre (with respect to the loading

direction)
3. Shape of the fibre

4. Distribution of the fibres in matrix material

5. Properties of the fibres

6. Properties of the matrix material

7. Proportion of fibre and matrix material

Factors Affecting Fabrication Processes

1. User requirements

2. Performance requirements

3. Total production volume

4. Production rate

5. Cost of production

6. Size of the production

7. Surface finish of the final product

8. Geometry of the product

9. Material
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• More than 50 processes depending upon the fibre and matrix type and
nature

• Wet/Hand Lay-Up
• Spray Lay-Up
• Vacuum Bagging
• Filament Winding
• Pultrusion
• Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)
• Braiding
• Vacuum Assisted RTM
• Centrifugal Casting
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Wet/Hand Lay-Up

Source: http://www.gurit.com
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Spray Lay-Up

Source: http://www.gurit.com
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Vacuum Bagging

Source: http://www.gurit.com
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Filament Winding

Source: http://www.gurit.com
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Pultrusion

Source: http://www.gurit.com
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)

Source: http://www.gurit.com
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Braiding
Fabrication Processes of Fibrous Composites
• Centrifual Casting
Applications of Fibrous Composites
• Aerospace/Military:

• Civil:

• Electronic:

• Energy:

• Automobile/Transportation:

• Sports:

• Medical:

• Marine:
• ……………………………………………
Applications of Fibrous Composites
Aerospace: Use of composites in LCA
Tejas
Applications of Fibrous Composites
Aerospace: Use of composites in LCH
Applications of Fibrous Composites
Aerospace: Use of composites in LCH
Applications of Fibrous Composites
Aerospace: Helicopter Blade
Applications of Fibrous Composites
Automobile/Transportation:
Applications of Fibrous Composites
Sports:
 Applications of Fibrous Composites
Wind Energy:
 Applications of Fibrous Composites
Medical:
 Applications of Fibrous Composites
Civil/Infrastructure:
 Applications of Fibrous Composites
Marine:
water lubricated propeller shaft
bearings
Disadvantages of Composite Materials
1. High cost of raw materials and fabrication.
2. Composites are brittle and thus are more easily damagable.
3. Transverse properties may be weak.
4. Matrix is weak, therefore, low toughness.
5. Reuse and disposal may be difficult.
6. Health hazards during manufacturing , during and after use.
7. Joining to parts is difficult
8. Repair introduces new problems, for the following reasons:
•Materials require refrigerated transport and storage
and have limited shelf life.
• Hot curing is necessary in many cases requiring special tooling.
• Curing takes time.
9. Analysis is difficult.
10. Matrix is subject to environmental degradation
References and Additional Reading
1. MF Ashby. Technology of the 1990s: advanced materials and predictive design.
Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society of London A. 1987;322:393-407.
2. LC Hollaway. The evolution of and the way forward for advanced polymer
composites in civil infrastructure. Construction Materials.
and Building 2003;17:365-378.
3. KK Chawla. Fibrous Materials. Cambridge University Press, 1998.
4. http://www.owenscorning.com/composites/
5. http://www.gurit.com/
6. http://www.hexcel.com/
7. http://www.toray.com/
Natural Fibres
Animal fibres:
Silk:

Soft, long fibres,

lustrous

Yarns, threads in textile uses

Natural Fibres
Animal fibres:
Spider Silk:

Protein fibre
Natural Fibres
Vegetable fibres:
Cotton:

Soft, fluffy, short fibres

12-20 µm diameter, 10-60 mm length

Yarns, threads in textile uses

Natural Fibres
Vegetable fibres:
Hemp:

Long fibres about 2 m in length

Lustrous like linen with special processing

Strong and durable. Used for twine, yarn,

rope
string

Used as artificial sponge

Natural Fibres
Comparison of Properties: