Chapter 8: Advanced Materials

Dr. Siddhalingeshwar I.G.

 Chapter 8: Advanced materials

 Introduction to advanced materials

 Composite materials– An overview, classification
 Fundamentals of production of FRP’s
 Fundamentals of production of MMC’s
 Advantages & application of composites
 Exotic alloys
 Learning Objectives

 Identify the main divisions of composite materials and explain the

characteristic features of each that make it a candidate material for
suitable application.

 Identify and explain the role of each of the constituents in a composite

material.

 Distinguish between different types of Fiber Reinforced Plastics in terms of

their properties and applications.

 Describe the manufacturing of FRPs and MMCs.

 Discuss the importance of composite materials in engineering applications.

 Overview of Engineering Materials

Metals

Polymers

Ceramics

Composites

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 Composite materials – Introduction

 Definition: a material composed of two or more

constituents;
 Reinforcement phase (e.g., Fibers)
 Binder phase (e.g., compliant matrix)

 Advantages:
 High strength and stiffness
 Low weight ratio
 Material can be designed in addition to the structure

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 Composite materials – Introduction

 Definition: any combination of two or more different

materials at the macroscopic level.
Or
 Two inherently different materials that when
combined together produce a material with
properties that exceed the constituent materials.
 Reinforcement phase (e.g., Fibers)
 Binder phase (e.g., compliant matrix)

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 Introduction (Cont.)

 Many composite materials are composed of two

phases: Matrix (Continuous medium surrounding the
other phase) & Dispersed phase.

Properties of composites are a function of:

 Properties of constituent phases.

 Relative amounts of constituents.

 Geometry of dispersed phases (shape of particles and

particle size, distribution, and orientation).
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Composites : getting the best of all worlds
heavy Lower Tm

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 Terminology/Classification
• Composites:
--Multiphase material w/significant proportions of each phase.

• Matrix:
--The continuous phase
--Purpose is to:
transfer stress to other phases
protect phases from environment
--Classification: MMC, CMC, PMC
metal ceramic polymer
• Dispersed phase:
--Purpose: enhance matrix properties.
MMC: increase sy, TS, creep resist.
CMC: increase Kc
PMC: increase E, sy, TS, creep resist.

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 Types of Composites based on Matrix material

Matrix phase/
Reinforcement
Metal Ceramic Polymer
Phase

Metal Powder metallurgy Cermets (ceramic-

parts – combining metal composite) Brake pads
immiscible metals

Ceramic Cermets, TiC, TiCN SiC reinforced

Cemented carbides Al2O3, Fiberglass
– used in tools Tool materials
Fiber-reinforced
metals

Polymer Kevlar fibers in an

epoxy matrix

Elemental Fiber reinforced Rubber with

(Carbon, metals carbon (tires)
Auto parts Boron, Carbon
Boron, etc.)
aerospace reinforced plastics

MMC’s CMC’s PMC’s

Metal Matrix Composites Ceramic Matrix Comp’s. Polymer Matrix Comp’s

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 Matrix functions

 Functions of the matrix:

 Transmit force between fibers;

 arrest cracks from spreading between fibers;

 do not carry most of the load

 hold fibers in proper orientation;

 protect fibers from environment;

 mechanical forces can cause cracks that allow environment to

affect fibers.
 Demands on matrix
 Interlaminar shear strength;

 Toughness;

 Moisture/environmental resistance;

 Temperature properties;

 Cost.

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There are five basic types of composite materials: Fiber,
particle, flake, laminar or layered and filled composites.

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 Particle-reinforced composites

 Particles usually reinforce a composite equally in all directions (called

isotropic). Plastics, cermets and metals are examples of particles.
 Particles used to strengthen a matrix do not do so in the same way as
fibers. For one thing, particles are not directional like fibers. Spread at
random through out a matrix, particles tend to reinforce in all
directions equally.

 Cermets
(1) Oxide–Based cermets
(e.g. Combination of Al2O3 with Cr)
(2) Carbide–Based Cermets
(e.g. Tungsten–carbide, titanium–carbide)
 Metal–plastic particle composites
(e.g. Aluminum, iron & steel, copper particles)
 Metal–in–metal Particle Composites and Dispersion
Hardened Alloys
(e.g. Ceramic–oxide particles)
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 Forms of Reinforcement Phase-Summary

 Fibers;
 cross-section can be circular, square or hexagonal
 Diameters --> 0.0001” - 0.005 “
 Lengths --> L/D ratio
 100 -- for chopped fiber
 much longer for continuous fiber
 Particulate;
 small particles that impede dislocation movement (in
metal composites) and strengthens the matrix
 For sizes > 1 mm, strength of particle is involves in load
sharing with matrix
 Flakes;
 flat platelet form.
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Polymer Matrix Composites
 Hull made of a sandwich composite
Exterior: Kevlar fiber epoxy-matrix composite
Interior: Polyvinyl chloride foam
Glass fibers
A carbon
fiber tow

©2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license.
 Types of Fibers
The fibers are divided into two main groups:

 Glass fibers: There are many different kinds of glass, ranging from
ordinary bottle glass to high purity quartz glass. All of these glasses can
be made into fibers. Each offers its own set of properties.

 Advanced fibers: These materials offer high strength and high stiffness
at low weight. Boron, silicon, carbide and graphite fibers are in this
category. So are the aramids, a group of plastic fibers of the polyamide
(nylon) family.
 Fiber Material Properties

Mechanical properties of typical fibers

Steel: density (Fe) = 7.87 g/cc; TS=0.380 GPa; Modulus=207 GPa;

Al: density=2.71 g/cc; TS=0.035 GPa; Modulus=69 GPa.
 Matrices - Polymeric

 Thermosets
 cure by chemical reaction;
 Irreversible;
 Examples
 Polyester, vinylester;

 Most common, lower cost, solvent resistance;

 Epoxy resins

 Superior performance, relatively costly.

 Matrices - Thermoplastics
 Formed by heating to elevated temperature at which
softening occurs.
 Reversible reaction;

 Can be reformed and/or repaired - not common;

o
 Limited in temperature range to 150 C;

 Examples
 Polypropylene;

 with nylon or glass;

 can be injected– inexpensive;

 Soften layers of combined fiber and resin and place in a

mold -- higher costs;

 Shaping Processes For PMCs

1. Open Mold Processes;

2. Closed Mold Processes;
3. Filament Winding;
4. Pultrusion Processes;
5. Other PMC Shaping Processes.
 Categories of FRP Shape Processes
 Open mold processes - some of the original FRP manual procedures
for laying resins and fibers onto forms;

 Closed mold processes - much the same as those used in plastic

molding;

 Filament winding - continuous filaments are dipped in liquid resin

and wrapped around a rotating mandrel, producing a rigid, hollow,
cylindrical shape;

 Pultrusion - similar to extrusion only adapted to include continuous

fiber reinforcement;

 Others - operations not in previous categories.

Classification of FRP Processes
 Open Mold FRP Processes

1.Hand lay-up;

2.Spray-up;

3.Vacuum Bagging – uses hand-lay-up, uses atmospheric pressure to

compact laminate;

4.Automated tape-laying machines;

The differences are in the methods of applying the laminations to

the mold, alternative curing techniques, and other differences.
 Hand Lay-Up Method

Open mold shaping method in which successive layers of resin and

reinforcement are manually applied to an open mold to build the
laminated FRP composite structure;

Labor-intensive;

Finished molding must usually be trimmed with a power saw to size

outside edges;

Oldest open mold method for FRP laminates, dating to the 1940s
when it was first used for boat hulls.
 Hand Lay-Up Method

Figure: Hand lay-up : (1) mold is treated with mold release agent; (2) thin gel
coat (resin) is applied, to the outside surface of molding; (3) when gel coat
has partially set, layers of resin and fiber are applied, the fiber is in the form
of mat or cloth; each layer is rolled to impregnate the fiber with resin and
remove air; (4) part is cured; (5) fully hardened part is removed from mold.
 Products Made by Hand Lay-Up

 Generally large in size but low in production quantity - not

economical for high production;
 Applications:
 Boat hulls;

 Swimming pools;

 Large container tanks;

 Movie and stage props;

 Other formed sheets;

 The largest molding ever made was ship hulls for the British
Royal Navy: 85 m (280 ft) long.
 Spray-Up Method

Liquid resin and chopped fibers are sprayed onto an open

mold to build successive FRP laminations;

Attempt to mechanize application of resin-fiber layers and

reduce lay-up time;

Alternative for step (3) in the hand lay-up procedure.

Spray-Up Method
 Products Made by Spray-Up

 Boat hulls, bathtubs, shower stalls, automobile and truck body

parts, recreational vehicle components, furniture, large
structural panels, and containers;

 Movie and stage props are sometimes made by this method;

 Since products made by spray-up have randomly oriented short

fibers, they are not as strong as those made by lay-up, in which
the fibers are continuous and directed.
 Closed Mold Processes

 Performed in molds consisting of two sections that open and

close each molding cycle;
 Tooling cost is more than twice the cost of a comparable open
mold due to the more complex equipment required in these
processes;
 Advantages of a closed mold are: (1) good finish on all part
surfaces, (2) higher production rates, (3) closer control over
tolerances, and (4) more complex three-dimensional shapes
are possible.
 Classification of Closed Mold Processes

 Three classes based on their counterparts in conventional

plastic molding;
1. Compression molding
2. Transfer molding
3. Injection molding
 The terminology is often different when polymer matrix
composites are molded.
 Compression Molding PMC Processes

A charge is placed in lower mold section, and the sections are

brought together under pressure, causing charge to take the
shape of the cavity;
 Mold halves are heated to cure TS polymer;
 When molding is sufficiently cured, the mold is opened
and part is removed;
 Several shaping processes for PMCs based on compression
molding;
 The differences are mostly in the form of the starting
materials.
Closed mold fabrication of Polymer Matrix Composites
 Transfer Molding PMC Processes

A charge of thermosetting resin with short fibers is placed in a pot

or chamber, heated, and squeezed by ram action into one or more

mold cavities;

The mold is heated to cure the resin;

Name of the process derives from the fact that the fluid polymer is

transferred from a pot into a mold.

Closed mold fabrication of Polymer Matrix Composites
 Injection Molding PMC Processes

 Injection molding is noted for low cost production of plastic

parts in large quantities;

 Although most closely associated with thermoplastics, the

process can also be adapted to thermosets;

 Processes of interest in the context of PMCs:

 Conventional injection molding;

 Reinforced reaction injection molding;

Closed mold fabrication of Polymer Matrix Composites

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 Conventional Injection Molding

 Used for both TP and TS type FRPs;

 Virtually all TPs can be reinforced with fibers;
 Chopped fibers must be used;
 Continuous fibers would be reduced by the action of the
rotating screw in the barrel;
 During injection into the mold cavity, fibers tend to become aligned
as they pass the nozzle;
 Part designers can sometimes exploit this feature to optimize
directional properties in the part.
 Filament Winding

Resin-impregnated continuous fibers are wrapped around a rotating

mandrel that has the internal shape of the desired FRP product; the
resin is then cured and the mandrel removed;

The fiber rovings are pulled through a resin bath immediately before

being wound in a helical pattern onto the mandrel;

The operation is repeated to form additional layers, each having a

criss-cross pattern with the previous, until the desired part thickness has
been obtained.
Filament Winding
 Filament Winding Characteristics

Because of the tension, reentrant shapes cannot be produced;

The filament (or tape, tow, or band) is either precoated with the
polymer or is drawn through a polymer bath so that it picks up polymer
on its way to the winder;
Void volume can be higher (3%);

The cost is about half that of tape laying;

Productivity is high (50 kg/h);

Applications include: fabrication of composite pipes, tanks, and

pressure vessels. Carbon fiber reinforced rocket motor cases used for
Space Shuttle and other rockets are made this way.
 Pultrusion Process

Similar to extrusion (hence the name similarity) but workpiece is

pulled through die (so prefix "pul-" in place of "ex-");
Like extrusion, pultrusion produces continuous straight sections of
constant cross section;
Developed around 1950 for making fishing rods of glass fiber
reinforced polymer (GFRP);
A related process, called pulforming, is used to make parts that are
curved and which may have variations in cross section throughout
their lengths.
Continuous fiber rovings are dipped into a resin bath and pulled
through a shaping die where the impregnated resin cures;
The sections produced are reinforced throughout their length by
continuous fibers;
Like extrusion, the pieces have a constant cross section, whose
profile is determined by the shape of the die opening;
The cured product is cut into long straight sections.
 Materials and Products in Pultrusion

 Common resins: unsaturated polyesters, epoxies, and silicones, all

thermosetting polymers
 Reinforcing phase: E-glass is most widely, in proportions from 30%
to 70%
 Products: solid rods, tubing, long flat sheets, structural sections
(such as channels, angled and flanged beams), tool handles for
high voltage work, and third rail covers for subways.
 Pultrusion
Continuous fibers pulled through resin tank, then preforming die
& oven to cure;

۰Production rates around 1 m/min.

۰Applications are to sporting goods (golf club shafts), vehicle drive shafts
(because of the high damping capacity), nonconductive ladder rails for electrical
service, and structural members for vehicle and aerospace applications.
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
 Introduction

 Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) is a material consisting of a

metallic matrix combined with a ceramic (oxides, carbides) or
metallic (lead, tungsten, molybdenum) dispersed phase.

Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMC);

Magnesium Matrix Composites;
Titanium Matrix Composites;
Copper Matrix Composites.
 Properties of some MMCs

 Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMC): This is the widest group of Metal

Matrix Composites.
 Matrices of Aluminum Matrix Composites are usually based on
aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloys and on the alloys of 2xxx and 6xxx series.
Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMC) are reinforced by:
 Alumina (Al2O3) or silicon carbide (SiC) particles (particulate Composites)
in amounts 15-70 vol%;
 Continuous fibers of alumina, silicon carbide, Graphite (long-fiber
reinforced composites);
 Discontinuous fibers of alumina (short-fiber reinforced composites);
Aluminum Matrix Composites are manufactured by the following
fabrication methods:
Powder metallurgy (sintering);
Stir casting; &Infiltration.
The following properties are typical for Aluminum Matrix Composites:
High strength even at elevated temperatures;

High stiffness (modulus of elasticity);

Low density;

High thermal conductivity;

Excellent abrasion resistance.

 Magnesium Matrix Composite

Magnesium Matrix Composites are reinforced mainly by silicon carbide (SiC)

particles (particulate composites).

The following properties are typical for Magnesium Matrix Composites:

Low density;

High stiffness (modulus of elasticity);

High wear resistance;

Good strength even at elevated temperatures;

Better creep resistance.

Magnesium Matrix Composites are used for manufacturing components for

racing cars, lightweight automotive brake system, aircraft parts for: gearboxes,
transmissions, compressors and engine.
 Titanium Matrix Composite

Titanium Matrix Composites are reinforced mainly by:

 Continuous monofilament silicon carbide fiber (long-fiber reinforced
composites);
 Titanium boride (TiB2) and titanium carbide (TiC) particles (particulate
composites).
 Powder metallurgy (sintering)is used for fabrication of Titanium Matrix
Composites.
The following properties are typical for Titanium Matrix Composites:
 High strength; High stiffness (modulus of elasticity);
 High creep resistance; High thermal stability; & High wear resistance.
Titanium Matrix Composites are used for manufacturing structural
components of the F-16 jet’s landing gear, turbine engine components
(fan blades, actuator pistons, synchronization rings, connecting links,
shafts, and discs), automotive engine components, drive train parts,
general machine components.
 Copper Matrix Composite

Copper Matrix Composites are reinforced by:

 Continuous fibers of carbon (**C**), silicon carbon (SiC), tungsten (W),
stainless steel 304 (long-fiber reinforced composites);
 Silicon carbide particles (particulate composites).
 Powder metallurgy (sintering) and infiltration technique are used for
fabrication Copper Matrix Composites.
The following properties are typical for Copper Matrix Composites:
 Low coefficient of thermal expansion;
 High stiffness (modulus of elasticity);
 Good electrical conductivity; High thermal conductivity;
 Good wear resistance.
Copper Matrix Composites are used for manufacturing hybrid modules,
electronic relays, electrically conducting springs and other electrical
and electronic components
 Purpose of using MMCs

 higher specific modulus and strength;

 better properties at elevated temperature;
 lower CTE;
 better wear resistance;

Disadvantages of using MMCs:

 less toughness;
 more expensive.
 Solid state fabrication of MMCs

 Solid state fabrication of MMCs is the process, in which MMCs are formed as a
result of bonding matrix metal and dispersed phase due to mutual diffusion
occurring between them in solid states at elevated temperature and under
pressure.
 Low temperature of solid state fabrication process (as compared to Liquid
state fabrication of MMCs) depresses undesirable reactions on the boundary
between the matrix and disperse phases.
 MMCs may be deformed also after sintering operation by rolling, Forging,
pressing, Drawing or Extrusion.
 The deformation operation may be either cold (below the recrystallization
temperature) or hot (above the recrystallization temperature).
 Solid-state processing: suitable for composite with large surface
area of high energy solid-gas interface, e.g. matrix in particle or
fail form.
 Diffusion bonding:
using foil matrix Fig 3.1;
e.g. Ti, Ni, Cu, Al reinforced with boron;
 Powder metallurgy:
using particle materials, suitable for particle or whisker
reinforced composites, Vf < 25%;
 Co-extrusion, drawing:
limited to ductile reinforcement and matrix.
 Diffusion bonding
Diffusion Bonding is a solid state fabrication method, in which a matrix in
form of foils and a dispersed phase in form of long fibers are stacked in a
particular order and then pressed at elevated temperature.
 The finished laminate composite material has a multilayer structure.
 Diffusion Bonding is used for fabrication of simple shape parts (plates, tubes).
Variants of diffusion bonding are roll bonding and wire/fiber winding:
Roll Bonding is a process of combined rolling (hot or cold) strips of two
different metals (e.g. steel and aluminum alloy) resulting in formation of a
laminated composite material with a metallurgical bonding between the two
layers.
 Wire/fiber winding is a process of combined winding continuous ceramic
fibers and metallic wires followed by pressing at elevated temperature.
Diffusion bonding
 Sintering
Sintering fabrication of MMCs is a process, in which a powder of a
matrix metal is mixed with a powder of dispersed phase in the form of
particles or short fibers for subsequent compacting and sintering in
solid state (sometimes with some presence of liquid).
Sintering is the method involving consolidation of powder grains by
heating the “green” compact part to a high temperature below the
melting point, when the material of the separate particles diffuse to the
neighboring powder particles.
In contrast to the liquid state fabrication of MMCs, sintering method
allows obtaining materials containing up to 50% of dispersed phase.
When sintering is combined with a deformation operation, the
fabrication methods are called:
Hot Pressing Fabrication of MMCs;

Hot Isostatic Pressing Fabrication of MMCs;

Hot Powder Extrusion Fabrication of MMCs;

Hot Pressing Fabrication of MMCs
 Hot Isostatic Pressing Fabrication of MMCs

Hot Isostatic Pressing Fabrication of MMCs – sintering under a pressure

applied from multiple directions through a liquid or gaseous medium
surrounding the compacted part and at elevated temperature;
 Hot Powder Extrusion of Fabrication of MMCs

Sintering under a pressure applied by an extruder at elevated

temperature.
 Liquid state fabrication of MMCs

Liquid state fabrication of MMCs involves incorporation of dispersed

phase into a molten matrix metal, followed by its Solidification;
 In order to provide high level of mechanical properties of the composite,
good interfacial bonding (wetting) between the dispersed phase and the
liquid matrix should be obtained;
Wetting improvement may be achieved by coating the dispersed phase
particles (fibers). Proper coating not only reduces interfacial energy, but
also prevents chemical interaction between the dispersed phase and the
matrix;
 The methods of liquid state fabrication of MMCs:
 Stir Casting; Infiltration;
 Gas Pressure Infiltration;
 Squeeze Casting Infiltration; Pressure Die Infiltration.
 Squeeze Casting
Squeeze Casting Infiltration is a forced infiltration method of liquid phase
fabrication of MMCs, using a movable mold part (ram) for applying pressure
on the molten metal and forcing it to penetrate into a performed dispersed
phase, placed into the lower fixed mold part;
Squeeze Casting Infiltration method is similar to the Squeeze casting
technique used for metal alloys casting.
 Gas Pressure Infiltration
 Gas Pressure Infiltration is a forced infiltration method of liquid phase
fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites, using a pressurized gas for applying
pressure on the molten metal and forcing it to penetrate into a preformed
dispersed phase.
 Pressure Die Infiltration
 Pressure Die Infiltration is a forced infiltration method of liquid phase
fabrication of MMCs, using a Die casting technology, when a preformed
dispersed phase (particles, fibers) is placed into a die (mold) which is then
filled with a molten metal entering the die through a sprue and penetrating
into the preform under the pressure of a movable piston (plunger).
Thank you