Composite Materials Science and Engineering

Composites are one of the most widely used materials because of their adaptability to different situations and the relative ease of combination with other materials to serve specific purposes and exhibit desirable properties. In surface transportation, reinforced plastics are the kind of composites used because of their huge size. They provide ample scope and receptiveness to design changes, materials and processes. The strength-weight ratio is higher than other materials. Their stiffness and cost effectiveness offered, apart from easy availability of raw materials, make them the obvious choice for applications in surface transportation. Composite materials have a wide range of properties and uses, making them the most common building and manufacturing materials in use today. They are created by combining two different components in order to create a new material with different properties than those which were started with. Concrete, fabric blends, paint, particle board, plastics, glass and even paper are all examples of composite materials. Metallic alloys are a different type of composite, requiring metal ores to be combined in extreme conditions. These metal composites are often used in items such as utensils, ornaments, trinkets, statues and as building materials. In 1940 fiberglass was invented and the modern era of composite materials began. The basic premise of a modern composite material is some sort of fiber material for the structure, and some sort of plastic or glue to hold the shape and provide strength. These fiber-reinforced plastic composites are used in manufacturing boat and kayak hulls, swimming pool liners, turbine blades, sporting goods and many other possible applications. Composite materials distinguish themselves from other plastics products of synthesis by characteristics which allow them properties of inalterability and low weight, to substitute for metal pieces. Since a few years, the market of composite materials doesn’t stop growing. In the present day scenario, use of advanced composite materials has been extended to a large number of segments.

The details of the research results and the new development in fields are highlighted in this book. The subject discussed the advances of specific idea and technologies. With regards to composite materials research, the specifics advances discussed in this book include the experimentation, investigation and the characterization of the behavior mechanical, physical property for new products. Advances of the use of the composite materials to produce a new material like nano composite and the applications are also discussed.