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ME 5720
Mechanics of Composite Materials
Dr. Ronald Gibson
Composite Material
Two or more materials combined in a
structural unit having properties which
could not be achieved by any of the
constituent materials acting alone.
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Specific Learning Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Develop a strong understanding of the role of constituents in overall
response of composite lamina
Develop a strong understanding of how a set of laminae with different
orientations affects the overall laminate properties and response
Apply these concepts to analyze and design fiber-reinforced composites
for engineering applications
Analyze stresses and strains in anisotropic and orthotropic materials
having both continuous and discontinuous reinforcement
Model hygrothermal effects on properties and response of composite
materials
Predict composite properties based on micromechanical theories
Use Classical Lamination Theory to assess the role of individual plies on
overall axial, bending and twisting deformation of laminates under
applied loads
Use failure theories for multiaxial loading to determine if the composite
will fail for known loading and use this knowledge to design failure
resistant structures
Micromechanics
Macromechanics
Fibers
Lamina
Matrix
Laminate
Structure
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Natural composites
Wood
bone
Man-made composites
Metallic alloys
Plywood
Reinforced concrete
Fiber-reinforced composites
polymer matrix
metal matrix
ceramic matrix
Types of Composites
Historical importance of different materials (From Ashby, 1987)
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Griffiths measurements of tensile strength of glass fibers
(From Gordon, 1976)
Surface area-to-volume ratio for cylindrical particles vs. particle aspect ratio
(From McCrum, et al., 1988
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Lamina Types
Continuous Fiber
Hybrids
Woven
Chopped Fiber
Composite Sandwich Structure
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Constituent Materials in
Composites
1. Reinforcing Fibers
2. Matrix or binders
3. Fillers
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Fibers for Reinforcement
Glass ( E-Glass, S-Glass )
Graphite ( carbon )
Aramid ( Kevlar )
Boron
Basalt
Other metals ( steel, tungsten )
Whiskers
Oriented polyethylene ( Spectra)
Carbon nanotubes
Table 1.1. Selected properties of bulk and fibrous materials
Material Tensile Strength Tensile Modulus Density Specific Strength Specific Modulus Ultimate Strain Manu
MPa GPa g/cm3 MPa/(g/cm3) GPa/(g/cm3)
Bulk metals
6061T6 Aluminum 310 69 2.71 114.4 25.5 0.17
4340 Steel 1030 200 7.83 131.5 25.5 0.19
AZ80 Magnesium 345 45 1.8 191.7 25 0.06
Bulk polymers
Nylon 6/6 75 2.8 1.14 65.8 2.5 0.5
Polycarbonate 65 2.4 1.2 54.2 2 1.1
Polyvinylchloride 40 3.1 1.44 27.8 2.2 0.4

Bulk ceramics
Silicon carbide 0.4 400 3.4 0.1 117.6 0.001
Aluminumoxide 0.5 380 3.8 0.1 100 0.001

Glass fibers
E-glass 3448 72 2.54 1357.5 28.3 0.04 Owens-Cor
S-2 glass 4830 87 2.49 1939.8 34.9 0.057 Owens-Cor

PAN-based carbon fibers
AS4 4278 228 1.79 2389.9 127.4 0.0187 Hexcel
IM7 5175 276 1.78 2907.3 155.1 0.0178 Hexcel
IM9 6072 290 1.8 3373.3 161.1 0.018 Hexcel
T-300 3750 231 1.76 2130.7 131.3 0.014 Cytec
T-650/35 4280 255 1.77 2418.1 144.1 0.017 Cytec
T-800S 5880 294 1.8 3266.7 163.3 Toray
T-1000G 6370 294 1.8 3538.9 163.3 Toray

Pitch-based carbon fibers
P-55S 1900 379 1.9 1000 199.5 0.005 Cytec
P-100S 2410 758 2.16 1115.7 350.9 0.003 Cytec
P-120S 2410 827 2.17 1110.6 381.1 0.003 Cytec

Polymeric fibers
Kevlar 29 aramid 3620 83 1.44 2513.9 57.6 0.044 DuPont
Kevlar 49 aramid 3792 131 1.44 2633.3 91 0.023 DuPont
Spectra 900/650 polyethylene 2400 66 0.97 2474.2 68 0.041 Honeywell
Spectra 2000/100 polyethylene 3340 124 0.97 3443.3 127.8 0.03 Honeywell
Technora aramid 3430 73 1.39 2467.6 52.5 0.046 Teijin
Zylon-AS PBO 5800 180 1.54 3766.2 116.9 0.035 Toyobo

Other fibers
Boron 4.0 mil dia 3516 400 2.57 1368.1 155.6 0.008 Specialty M
SCS-6 silicon carbide 3450 380 3 1150 126.7 0.0013 Specialty M

Carbon nanotubes 30000 1000 1.9 15789.5 526.3
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Specific modulus vs. specific strength for bulk materials and fibers
Kevlar 49 fiber
Spectra 900 fiber
Zylon-AS
fiber
AS-4 fiber
IM-9 fiber
IM-7 fiber
T-650/35 fiber
S-2 glass fiber
E-glass fiber
bulk Nylon
bulk Aluminum
bulk Silicon Carbide
Boron fiber
P-100S fiber
P-55S fiber
SCS-6 fiber
P-120S fiber
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Specific Strength, MPA/(g/cc)
S
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From M. Shuart, NASA, 2001
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Carbon structures, including nanotube
(From Smalley web site, 2002)
Disadvantages of Fibers Alone
1. Cannot support longitudinal compressive
loads
2. Transverse properties are not as good as
longitudinal properties
Thus, a binder or matrix material and
transverse reinforcement are needed for
structural use of fibers.
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Matrix - for binding and
protecting fibers
Polymers
Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Metals
Magnesium
Aluminum
Ceramics
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Thermosetting Polymer Matrix
Materials
Epoxies *
Phenolics
Polyesters
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Advanced Thermoplastic Matrix
Materials
Polyether ether ketone ( PEEK )
Polyphenylene sulphide ( PPS )
Polysulphone ( PS )
Polyether sulfone ( PES )
Polyimide ( PI )
Polyetherimide ( PEI )
Advantages of Advanced
Thermoplastics Compared with
Thermosets
Improved ductility and toughness
Better hot/wet properties
Non-flammable, lower toxic fume emission
Potential for lower fabrication cost
Faster production rates
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Fillers
Calcium carbonate, clay, mica - for cost
reduction
Glass or graphite micro spheres for weight
reduction
Alumina trihydrate for flame and smoke
suppression
Carbon black for ultraviolet and thermal
protection