Failure Mechanisms in Polymer Matrix Composites

Failure Mechanisms in Polymer Matrix Composites

by P Robinson, E Greenhalgh, S Pinho
Released January 2012
Publisher(s): Woodhead Publishing
ISBN: 9780857095329

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

Polymer matrix composites are increasingly replacing traditional materials, such as metals, for applications in the aerospace, automotive and marine industries. Because of the relatively recent development of these composites there is extensive on-going research to improve the understanding and modelling of their behaviour - particularly their failure processes. As a consequence there is a strong demand among design engineers for the latest information on this behaviour in order to fully exploit the potential of these materials for a wide range of weight-sensitive applications. Failure mechanisms in polymer matrix composites explores the main types of composite failure and examines their implications in specific applications.

Part one discusses various failure mechanisms, including a consideration of manufacturing defects and addressing a variety of loading forms such as impact and the implications for structural integrity. This part also reviews testing techniques and modelling methods for predicting potential failure in composites. Part two investigates the effects of polymer-matrix composite failure in a range of industries including aerospace, automotive and other transport, defence, marine and off-shore applications. Recycling issues and environmental factors affecting the use of composite materials are also considered.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors Failure mechanisms in polymer matrix composites is a valuable reference for designers, scientists and research and development managers working in the increasing range of industries in which composite materials are extensively used. The book will also be a useful guide for academics studying in the composites field.

  • Discusses various failure mechanisms, including manufacturing defects
  • Reviews testing techniques and modelling methods for predicting potential failure
  • Investigates failure in aerospace, automotive, defence, marine and off-shore applications

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Contributor contact details
  6. Part I: Failure mechanisms
    1. Chapter 1: Progress in failure criteria for polymer matrix composites: A view from the first World-Wide Failure Exercise (WWFE)
      1. Abstract:
      2. 1.1 Introduction
      3. 1.2 Aims of the first World-Wide Failure Exercise (WWFE)
      4. 1.3 Setting up test problems
      5. 1.4 Description of available models
      6. 1.5 Design problems solved
      7. 1.6 Gaps identified
      8. 1.7 Current activities
      9. 1.1 Conclusions
      10. 1.2 Acknowledgements
    2. Chapter 2: Manufacturing defects as a cause of failure in polymer matrix composites
      1. Abstract:
      2. 2.1 Introduction and basic requirements
      3. 2.2 Sources of variability and defects in composite mouldings
      4. 2.3 Impact of residual stresses and geometrical distortions on performance
      5. 2.4 Impact of voidage and delaminations on inplane and out-of-plane properties
      6. 2.5 Impact of misaligned, wavy and wrinkled reinforcements on in-plane and out-of-plane properties
      7. 2.6 Approaches to minimize the impact of manufacturing defects
      8. 2.7 Future trends
    3. Chapter 3: Low- and medium-velocity impact as a cause of failure in polymer matrix composites
      1. Abstract:
      2. 3.1 Introduction
      3. 3.2 Impact damage
      4. 3.3 Impact response
      5. 3.4 Strength and stability after impact
      6. 3.5 Computational models
      7. 3.6 Future trends
      8. 3.7 Sources of further information and advice
    4. Chapter 4: Structural integrity of polymer matrix composite panels in fire
      1. Abstract:
      2. 4.1 Introduction
      3. 4.2 Temperature distribution
      4. 4.3 Material behavior at elevated temperature
      5. 4.4 Global buckling
      6. 4.5 Skin wrinkling of sandwich panels
      7. 4.6 Plastic micro-buckling
      8. 4.7 Other aspects of structural integrity in fire
    5. Chapter 5: Testing the toughness of polymer matrix composites
      1. Abstract:
      2. 5.1 Introduction
      3. 5.3 Translaminar fracture toughness testing
      4. 5.4 Ply-Level Fracture Toughness Testing
      5. 5.5 Conclusions
    6. Chapter 6: Testing the strength and stiffness of polymer matrix composites
      1. Abstract:
      2. 6.1 Introduction
      3. 6.2 Key issues
      4. 6.3 In-plane testing
      5. 6.4 Out-of-plane testing
      6. 6.5 Biaxial in-plane testing
      7. 6.6 Triaxial testing
      8. 6.7 Concluding comments
    7. Chapter 7: Fibre-dominated compressive failure in polymer matrix composites
      1. Abstract:
      2. 7.1 Introduction
      3. 7.2 The physics of fibre kinking in unidirectional plies
      4. 7.3 Compressive failure in two-dimensional woven composites
      5. 7.4 Compressive failure in recycled composites
      6. 7.5 Conclusions
      7. 7.6 Acknowledgement
  7. Part II: Failure mechanisms in specific applications
    1. Chapter 8: Considerations of failure mechanisms in polymer matrix composites in the design of aerospace structures
      1. Abstract:
      2. 8.1 Introduction
      3. 8.2 Design considerations
      4. 8.3 Structural considerations
      5. 8.4 Designing for damage in composites
      6. 8.5 Materials-based approaches
      7. 8.6 Structures-based approaches
      8. 8.7 Conclusions
    2. Chapter 9: Failure of polymer matrix composites in defence applications
      1. Abstract:
      2. 9.1 Introduction
      3. 9.2 Ballistic damage of composite structures
      4. 9.3 Implications for preventing failure
      5. 9.4 Trends in modeling composite failures in military applications
    3. Chapter 10: Failure of polymer matrix composites in marine and off-shore applications
      1. Abstract:
      2. 10.1 Introduction
      3. 10.2 Material types
      4. 10.3 Failure of composite materials for surface vessels
      5. 10.4 Failure of composite materials for underwater structures
      6. 10.5 Modelling failure
      7. 10.6 Future trends
    4. Chapter 11: Recycling issues in polymer matrix composites
      1. Abstract:
      2. 11.1 Introduction
      3. 11.2 The problems of reuse in polymer composites
      4. 11.3 Plastic waste disposal into other materials
      5. 11.4 Mechanical recycling of polymeric matrix composites
      6. 11.5 Recovery techniques
      7. 11.6 Properties of recovered fibres
      8. 11.7 Future strategies for making polymer matrix composites more recyclable
      9. 11.8 Conclusions
      10. 11.11 Appendix: abbreviations
    5. Chapter 12: Failure of polymer matrix composites (PMCs) in automotive and transportation applications
      1. Abstract:
      2. 12.1 Introduction
      3. 12.2 Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) used in automotive and road transportation applications
      4. 12.3 Scope of the chapter
      5. 12.4 Common in-service conditions causing failure
      6. 12.5 Sheet molding compound (SMC) composites
      7. 12.6 Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) for crashworthy structures
      8. 12.7 Implications of preventing failure
      9. 12.8 Future trends
    6. Chapter 13: Environmental induced failure in fibre-reinforced plastics
      1. Abstract:
      2. 13.1 Introduction
      3. 13.2 Chemical agents and degradation mechanisms
      4. 13.3 Environmental conditioning and testing
      5. 13.4 Modelling and predictive analysis
      6. 13.5 Optimising chemical resistance and prevention of failure
      7. 13.6 Conclusions and future trends
      8. 13.7 Sources of further information and advice
      9. 13.8 Acknowledgements
      10. 13.10 Appendix: standards
  8. Index

Product information

  • Title: Failure Mechanisms in Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Author(s): P Robinson, E Greenhalgh, S Pinho
  • Release date: January 2012
  • Publisher(s): Woodhead Publishing
  • ISBN: 9780857095329