Course 1

Definition
The word "composite" is of Latin origin and represent one of the five architectural orders, formed by combining the Corinthian with Ionic. Today the meaning of the word refers to a set of materials designed for the purpose of obtaining a particular set of properties. There is no simple definition of a composite material, the definition includes a series of criteria to be fulfilled simultaneously: - They are man-made materials (wood, although meets the other criteria is not yet considered such a material) - They are a combination of at least two different chemical materials, which shows an area of separation between them; - Materials of construction should be combined threedimensional - Composite materials are characterized by a set of properties that none of the components are fully possessed.
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Definition
The definition should not be understood in the sense that the

composite material has superior properties to each component. For example, in order to obtain a material with good mechanical strengths but with low density you can use a composite material made of aluminum reinforced with steel fibers. Aluminum has both density and relatively low mechanical strength, while in the case of steel the two stated properties have high values; these properties are considered the set of properties of interest. Aluminum based composite material reinforced with steel fibres will have an intermediate density, but close to the Al (but greater) and strength 10 times greater than Al, but less than steel. It can be used instead of a set of properties a composed property, such as specific strength = strength / density. In this case the CM has the maximum value of this specific property as compared with components.
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Definition
Composite materials have been used since ancient times - unfired

clay bricks reinforced with straw. Construction materials used today are mostly, composite materials, besides those deliberately created there are some formed due to impurities or some undesirable secondary phases. Composite materials are composed from a matrix, forming an almost continuous phase in the material and a reinforcement component. The purpose for the addition of this component can be an improvement of mechanical properties, improved behavior of materials at high temperatures, getting some special properties, reducing shrinkage and even reducing the cost price. A condition for obtaining a composite material with good properties is the expansion coefficients of the matrix and strengthening dispersion component to be close in value.
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Classification
Composite

materials are heterogeneous systems characterized by a large compositional diversity of the properties, their classification is a relatively difficult task. One classification considers the nature of the matrix material: CM with organic matrix CM with metallic matrix CM with ceramic matrix

Classification
Using as a criterion their structure, composite materials are

classified as: - Dispersion strengthening composite materials; - Particle reinforced composite materials; - Fiber reinforced composite materials; Dispersion strengthening composite materials consist of particles between 0.01 - 0.1 m, which are usually in a metal matrix, and a proportion of volume (total volume of particles / volume of composite) of 1-15%. The particles can be metals, oxides, etc. Composite materials reinforced with particles contain in the matrix granules more than 1 m in size and occupying over 25% of the material. Fiber reinforced composite materials - consisting of fibers with diameters from tens of microns to several mm and a volume fraction typically less than 70% included in an organic or inorganic matrix. 6

 Figure 1 shows the variation of the ratio between limits of

elasticity of composite material and the matrix ce / me versus dispersed particle diameter for composite materials reinforced with dispersed particles or length to diameter ratio for the reinforced fiber CM. We notice, besides diversity systems - both matrix and reinforcing component, high values of strength gains.

Figure 1

Classification
A comparison between different types of composite material

is presented in Table 1. In dispersed reinforced composites the matrix is almost entirely supporting load. The role of dispersed particles is to block or significantly reduce the migration of dislocations to normal temperature. However, the most important role is to maintain these properties in a wide temperature range, dispersed particles action is based on their insensitivity to these changes in temperature - resulting composite material properties are maintained up to the melting temperature of the matrix.

Compared Item
Matrix role

Dispersion strengthening CM Particle reinforced CM Supports virtually all load Supports loading with aggregate Prevents deformation of the matrix Particles diameter, distance between them, volume fraction.

Fiber reinforced CM Transmits the load to fibers

Dispersed phase role

Prevents migration of dislocations Particles diameter, distance between them, volume fraction.

Supports all load Critical length of the fiber, length/diameter ratio, volume fraction, fibers orientation

Dispersed phase parameters regarding reinforcing potential

Composite strength

Linear variation with volume fraction of dispersed particles 2 15 Isotropic quite important Powder metallurgy Internal Oxidation Solidification of molten Electrochemical methods

Increases with volume fraction of dispersed particles 2 25 Isotropic Important Powder metallurgy Casting

Linear variation with volume fraction of fibers 2 50 Anisotropic Important for fiber reinforced CM Powder metallurgy Pressing Casting

Ratio c/m CM properties Bond between phases at interface Fabrication methods

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 Figure 2 presents the

Figure 2

Rockwell hardness of a copper matrix composite reinforced with dispersed SiO2 (0.1, 0.6 and 2.1% in volume) and Al2O3 (0.4, 1.1, 3.5% in volume) versus annealing temperature. It noted in particular for the reinforcement of Al2O3, the composite material properties are kept constant practice to the copper melting temperature 10830C.
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constituencies role
Particle reinforced composite materials are characterized

by the fact that both matrix and aggregate have made important contributions to bear load. Ec modulus of such material is considered: Ec=EmVm + EdVd (1) where E and V are the elasticity modulus and the volume fraction corresponding to matrix (m) or dispersed phase (d).

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constituencies role
In fiber reinforced composite materials fibers are mainly

supporting the load, the role of matrix is mainly for the transmission of load P: Pc=Pm + Pf (2)
c Ac= mAm + fAf c = m V m + f V f Considering that fiber does not slip against the matrix,

(3) (4)

loading deformations of the matrix, fiber and composite material will be equal: c = m = f (5)
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constituencies role
From (4, 5) results:
c = EmcVm + Efc(1 - Vm) Ratio between load supported by the fibers and matrix:

(6)

Efc(1 Vm)/EmcVm = (Ef/Em)x(1 Vm)/Vm

(7) Figure 3 shows the variation of the ratio of fiber support and the load borne by the matrix for different values of ratio (Ef / Em). Note that for a typical composite material - glass fiber reinforced resins, even small percentage of fiber reinforcement makes you take a double load of the array.

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Figure 3

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constituencies role
Figure 4 presents the variation of the percentage of

load taken by the fiber composite material, depending on the ratio Ef / Em at different percentages of reinforcement. Equation describing the curve is: Pf/Pc = [Ef(1 - Vm)] / [Ef(1 - Vm) + EmVm]

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constituencies role
Figure 4

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Associated materials
Associated materials are materials that satisfy both criteria:

are artificial materials; are a combination of at least two different materials, which shows a boundary between them; are characterized by a set of properties that none of them do not fully possess. In short, the associated materials meet the defining criteria of composite materials with one exception - their threedimensional combination. Associated materials are two-dimensional combined. As with composite materials, the combination of materials was made in order to obtain a material (system of materials) with a set of properties that none of them do not fully possess. The resulting systems are gypsum board fire, mutilayer protection systems etc. 18

Associated materials
Hardened plaster is a porous material, thermal and sound insulator, with acceptable mechanical strength, good resistance to fire, very easy to put in work, but it is brittle. To use the positive characteristics listed above was associated with cardboard, a flexible material, resulting in a relatively flexible material, but sufficiently rigid to be used as a locking surface. Adhesion of cardboard and plaster hardened nature is mechanical plastic plaster paste entering into the cardboard pores providing an anchor after curing. Fire protection systems have been made with fire resistance of up to 90 minutes of perforated metal plates (to reduce weight plates) and mineral wool bonded with sodium silicate. Metallic part is mechanically strong enough to support the load that is subjected to temperature during the fire and the fibrous insulation dont allows the rise in temperature of the protected structure.
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