4 - Composites

mechanical mixtures of materials

What are composites?

thermomechanically segregated metallic mixtures

What are alloys?

carbon fiber and epoxy resin

What is an example of a composite material?

offer superior strength-to-weight ratios compared to traditional materials

What is the advantage of composite materials?

better strength-to-weight ratio, greater fatigue strength, higher temperature tolerance, and greater resistance to corrosion

What are the advantages of alloys?

better specific stiffness and specific strength (except for compression after damage)

As compared with alternative metals, high performance carbon fiber composites have:

Boeing 787

What is the first composite production airliner?

keeps the vacuum bag from sealing down to the layup. provides a free air passage to the vacuum port form all parts of the layup

What does the breather cloth do in layups?

cost of tooling, low compression strength after impact, and cost of certification

What are some challenges with composites?