Polymer matrix composites are increasingly replacing traditional materials, such as metals, for applications in the aerospace, automotive and marine industries. Because of the relatively recent development of these composites there is extensive on-going research to improve the understanding and modelling of their behaviour – particularly their failure processes. As a consequence there is a strong demand among design engineers for the latest information on this behaviour in order to fully exploit the potential of these materials for a wide range of weight-sensitive applications. Failure mechanisms in polymer matrix composites explores the main types of composite failure and examines their implications in specific applications.Part one discusses various failure mechanisms, including a consideration of manufacturing defects and addressing a variety of loading forms such as impact and the implications for structural integrity. This part also reviews testing techniques and modelling methods for predicting potential failure in composites. Part two investigates the effects of polymer-matrix composite failure in a range of industries including aerospace, automotive and other transport, defence, marine and off-shore applications. Recycling issues and environmental factors affecting the use of composite materials are also considered.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors Failure mechanisms in polymer matrix composites is a valuable reference for designers, scientists and research and development managers working in the increasing range of industries in which composite materials are extensively used. The book will also be a useful guide for academics studying in the composites field. - Discusses various failure mechanisms, including manufacturing defects - Reviews testing techniques and modelling methods for predicting potential failure - Investigates failure in aerospace, automotive, defence, marine and off-shore applications

This book presents a unified approach to fracture behavior of natural and synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites on the basis of fiber orientation, the addition of fillers, characterization, properties and applications. In addition, the book contains an extensive survey of recent improvements in the research and development of fracture analysis of FRP composites that are used to make higher fracture toughness composites in various applications.The FRP composites are an emerging area in polymer science with many structural applications. The rise in materials failure by fracture has forced scientists and researchers to develop new higher strength materials for obtaining higher fracture toughness. Therefore, further knowledge and insight into the different modes of fracture behavior of FRP composites are critical to expanding the range of their application.

Advanced polymer matrix composites (PMC) have many advantages such as light weight and high specific strength that make them useful for many aerospace applications. Enormous uncertainty exists, however, in predicting long-term changes in properties of PMCs under extreme environmental conditions, which has limited their use. To help address this issue, the Department of Defense requested a study from the NRC to identify the barriers and limitations to the use of PMCs in extreme environments. The study was to focus on issues surrounding methodologies for predicting long-term performance. This report provides a review of the challenges facing application of PMCs in extreme environments, the current understanding of PMC properties and behavior, an analysis of the importance of data in developing effective models, and recommendations for improving long-term predictive methodologies.

The proposed book focusses on the theme of failure of polymer composites, focusing on vital aspects of enhancing failure resistance, constituents and repair including associated complexities. It discusses characterization and experimentation of the composites under loading with respect to the specific environment and applications. Further, it includes topics as green composites, advanced materials and composite joint failure, buckling failure, and fiber-metal composite failure. It explains preparation, applications of composites for weight sensitive applications, leading to potential applications and formulations, fabrication of polymer products based on bio-resources. Provides exhaustive understanding of failure and fatigue of polymer composites Covers the failure of fiber reinforced polymer composites, composite joint failure, fiber-metal composite, and laminate failure Discusses how to enhance the resistance against failure of the polymer composites Provides input to industry related and academic orientated research problems Represents an organized perspective and analysis of materials processing, material design, and their failure under loading This book is aimed at researchers, graduate students in composites, fiber reinforcement, failure mechanism, materials science, and mechanical engineering.

The growing use of polymer composites is leading to increasing demand for fractographic expertise. Fractography is the study of fracture surface morphologies and it gives an insight into damage and failure mechanisms, underpinning the development of physically-based failure criteria. In composites research it provides a crucial link between predictive models and experimental observations. Finally, it is vital for post-mortem analysis of failed or crashed polymer composite components, the findings of which can be used to optimise future designs.Failure analysis and fractography of polymer composites covers the following topics: methodology and tools for failure analysis; fibre-dominated failures; delamination-dominated failures; fatigue failures; the influence of fibre architecture on failure; types of defect and damage; case studies of failures due to overload and design deficiencies; case studies of failures due to material and manufacturing defects; and case studies of failures due to in-service factors.With its distinguished author, Failure analysis and fractography of polymer composites is a standard reference text for researchers working on damage and failure mechanisms in composites, engineers characterising manufacturing and in-service defects in composite structures, and investigators undertaking post-mortem failure analysis of components. The book is aimed at both academic and industrial users, specifically final year and postgraduate engineering and materials students researching composites and industry designers and engineers in aerospace, civil, marine, power and transport applications. - Examines the study of fracture surface morphologies in uderstanding composite structural behaviour - Discusses composites research and post-modern analysis of failed or crashed polymer composite components - Provides an overview of damage mechanisms, types of defect and failure criteria

The first volume of this six-volume compendium contains guidelines for determining the properties of polymer matrix composite material systems and their constituents, as well as the properties of generic structural elements, including test planning, test matrices, sampling, conditioning, test procedure selection, data reporting, data reduction, statistical analysis, and other related topics. Special attention is given to the statistical treatment and analysis of data. Volume 1 contains guidelines for general development of material characterization data as well as specific requirements for publication of material data in CMH-17. The primary purpose of this volume of the handbook is to document industry best-practices for engineering methodologies related to testing, data reduction, and reporting of property data for current and emerging composite materials. It is used by engineers worldwide in designing and fabricating products made from composite materials. The Composite Materials Handbook, referred to by industry groups as CMH-17, is a six-volume engineering reference tool that contains thousands of records of the latest test data for polymer matrix, metal matrix, ceramic matrix, and structural sandwich composites. CMH-17 provides information and guidance necessary to design, analyze, fabricate, certify and support end items using composite materials. It includes properties of composite materials that meet specific data requirements as well as guidelines for design, analysis, material selection, manufacturing, quality control, and repair.

Polymer matrix composites are used extensively across a wide range of industries, making the design and development of effective manufacturing processes of great importance. Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of this class of composite.Following an introduction to composites and manufacturing processes, part one reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth. Thermoplastic processing is the focus of part two. Sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles are investigated. Part three reviews thermoset processing. A survey of resin transfer molding follows, including vacuum-assisted and compression resin transfer molding. The pultrusion process is then considered, before the book concludes with an investigation into autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing processes in polymer matrix composites.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) is an essential guide for engineers and scientists working in the field of polymer matrix composites. - Provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of polymer matrix composites - Reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle-based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth - Examines thermoplastic processing, sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles