MECHANICS OF FIBER REINFORCEMENT COMPOSITES Introduction: We know metals have more strength and toughness but they are

more corrosive and weight is also more that is they are denser. While in case of ceramics and polymer they are lighter in weight and anticorrosive but when we want more toughness ceramics lack behind. Now a day for some application we required a material which is light in weight having more strength and toughness with anti corrosiveness property. Fiber reinforcement composite is best solution of our requirement which is a material in which a homogeneous matrix component is reinforced by a stronger and stiffer constituent that is usually fibrous in shape. Compressive strength of matrix and tensile strength of fiber makes it stronger. Fibers are strong due to removal of flaws in the case of ceramics and molecular alignment foe polymer. Fiber reinforcement composite mainly used where individual material cannot meet specific requirement. M1= material of matrix M2= material of fiber C1= fiber reinforcement composite

M1
(Light weight and anticorrosive)

M2
(High strength and tough)

C1

(Light weight, anticorrosive High strength and tough)

 Function of fiber is to carry load along the longitudinal axis direction common fiber reinforcement materials are Aluminum, Asbestos, Carbon (graphite), Glass, Steel, Titanium, Tungsten, Quartz, Polyamide (aromatic polyamide, Aramid ) example: kelvar49 Function of matrix is to transfer of stresses between the reinforcing the fibers and protect them from mechanical damages material for matrix are as follows Resin matrix: Epoxy, Phenolic, Polyester, Polyurethane, Vinyl ester Metal matrix: Aluminum, Copper, Lead, Magnesium, Silver

Matrix

Fibers Fig. Fiber reinforcement composites

APPLICATIONS: fiber reinforcement composite have a wide range of applications like in aerospace engineering, boat construction, in buildings, bridges etc. Fiber reinforcement composites in industry 1. Automotive: Automotive industry adopted composites slowly as the cost of fiber reinforcement composites is much higher. Generally fiber reinforcement composites are used in sport car mostly carbon reinforcement composites are used. Recently in BMWi3 and i8 car carbon reinforcement composites are used. 2. For wind power turbine blade: because of some properties of fiber reinforcement composites like light weight, high strength and stiffness, anti-vibration, anticorrosive and weather resistance it is used in making of wind power turbine blade. 3. Marine: fiber reinforcement composites are used in boat structure. As glass fibers gives more uniform properties these are used in large structure. Use of carbon fiber is more expensive as compare to the glass fibers. 4. Aerospace: Carbon reinforcement composites are now common in military and aviation. The Boeing 787 and airbus A350XWB have roughly 50% of structure is of composite. Carbon fiber materials are also used in helicopter system, rocket motors satellite system and turbine engine. 5. Miscellaneous applications: For making tennis rackets fiber reinforcement composites are used as they provide light weight and stiffness. These are also used in dental application. Used in furniture etc.