The Essence of Materials for Engineers

Chapter 15

Composite Materials:Another Level of theStructure-Property-Process-Performance Relationship

Learning Objectives

After careful study of this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

1.  Explain the principle of combined action for developing composite materials from matrix and reinforcement materials.

2.  Explain the roles of the reinforcement phases and of the matrix phases in a composite.

3.  Describe the types and forms of composites by matrix material and reinforcement phase geometry, arrangement, and orientation, respectively.

4.  Describe and explain the derivation of an upper bound and a lower bound on composite properties, depending on whether the reinforcement phase is continuous and aligned or discontinuous and random. ...