there are 4 commonly accepted types of composite materials based on reinforcement

fibrous composite materials that consists of fibres in a matrix laminated composite materials
that consists of layers of various materials particulate composite materials that are composed of
particles in a matrix combination of some or all of the first three types the major composite
classes based on structural composition of the matrix are metal Matrix composite polymer
Matrix composite ceramic Matrix composite carbon carbon composite hybrid composite
according to the type reinforcement geometry fibrous composite this type of composite consists
of mattresses reinforced by this continuous and discontinuous fibres the fundamental unit of
continuous fibre Matrix composite or uni-directional or woven carbon particulate composite
particle composite consists of particles used in mattresses such as alloys and ceramics some of
the examples include use of aluminium particles in rubber silicon carbide in aluminium and
gravel cement sand to make concrete Flake composite typical Flake composite or glass my car
aluminium and silver Flake composite provide the advantages such as higher strength and low
cost according to the type of metric space metal Matrix composite metal and alloys are very
useful and versatile materials and have been exploited almost fully further improvement can be
achieved by combining them with reinforcement such as b c a l 2 or 3 ACC to provide metal
matrix composites this type of composite has dis advantages such as high density and complex
fabrication high cost of production polymer Matrix composites most commonly used Matrix
materials or polymeric generally there are 3 classes of polymers Such as thermosets
thermoplastics and robbers are widely used as Matrix material some of the polymer Matrix
materials or polyethylene polystyrene polypropylene epoxy polyester ceramic Matrix composite
ceramics as a class of materials include a wide variety of inorganic materials they are in general
non metallic and are very often at high temperatures are the terms Ceramics refers to the
traditional ceramic materials such as oxides nitride and carbides of silicon aluminium zirconium
etc.
Carbon carbon composite carbon carbon composites consists of carbon are carbonaceous
Matrix reinforced with carbon fibres there is a variety of carbon fibres this may be produced from
Rayon pitch polyacrylonitrile and maybe continuous or discontinuous
Processing of composite materials fibre composites are most commonly fabricated by the
impregnation or infiltration of the matrix or Matrix precursor in the liquid state into the fibre
preform which can take the form of the woven fabric
In the case of composites in the shape of cubes the fibres maybe impregnated in the form of
continuous bundle Called at tow from a spool and subsequently the bundles can be Wound on
a mandrel
instead of impregnation the fibres and matrix material maybe intermixed in the solid state by
combining reinforcing fibres and matrix fibre bike coating the reinforcing fibres with the matrix
Material by sandwiching reinforcing fibres with files of matrix materials and in other ways after
impregnation or intermixing consolidation is carried out of and under heat and pressure the
processing of composite material is also done by hand lay up technique
need of composite material
Lightweight
higher operating temperature
greater loading capacity
 Affordability
higher reliability
advantages of composite over the conventional materials
high strength to weight ratio
stiffness to weight ratio
high impact resistance
Better fatigue resistance
improved corrosion resistance
good thermal conductivity
low coefficient of thermal expansion
applications of composites
the common applications of composites are extending day by day nowadays they are used in
medical applications to the other fields of applications are
automotive drive shaft clutch plate engine blocks pushrods frames valve guides Automotive
racing brakes filament wound fuel tanks fibre glass epoxy leaf springs for heavy trucks and
trailers Rocker arm covers
aircraft drive shaft what does any weight during landing gear door panels and flooring Of
airplanes etc
marine propeller when fans and blowers year cases valves and stainers condenser shells
chemical industries composite vessels for liquid natural gas for alternative fuel vehicles
wrapped bottles for fire service mountain climbing underground storage tanks Duck and
stacks etc
electrical and electronics structures for overhead transmission lines for Railways power line
insulator lighting poles fibre optic tensile members etc