Composite Materials

Abstract

Since the publication of the second edition of this book, there has been a spate of activity in the field of composites, in the academia as well as in the industry. The industrial activity, in particular, has been led by the large-scale use of composites by aerospace companies, mainly Boeing and Airbus. It would not be far off the mark to say that the extensive use of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites in Boeing 787 aircraft and a fairly large use of composites in Airbus’s A 380 aircraft represent a paradigm shift. Boeing 787 has composites in the fuselage, windows, wings, tails, stabilizers, etc., resulting in 50% in composites by weight. Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that in reality, the extensive use of composites in aircraft is a culmination of a series of earlier steps over the decades since mid-1960s. Besides the large-scale applications in the aerospace industry, there have been impressive developments in other fields such as automotive, sporting goods, superconductivity, etc. All of this activity has led to a substantial addition of new material in this edition. Among these are the following: Carbon/carbon brakes, nanocomposites, biocomposites, self-healing composites, self-reinforced composites, fiber/metal laminate composites, composites for civilian aircraft, composites for aircraft jet engine, second-generation high-temperature superconducting composites, WC/metal particulate composites, new solved examples, and new problems. In addition, I have added a new chapter called nonconventional composites. This chapter deals with some nonconventional composites such as nanocomposites (polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix), self-healing composites, self-reinforced composites, biocomposites, and laminates made of bidimensional layers. Once again, I plead guilty to the charge that the material contained in this edition is more than can be covered in a normal, semester-long course. The instructor of course can cut the content to his/her requirements. I have always had the broader aim of providing a text that is suitable as a source of reference for the practicing researcher, scientist, and engineer.