Module 2
Engineering Materials
Background
Polymer Composite & Phases
Engineered mix
of 2+ materials
Polymer composite = polymer + reinforcement (2 phases)
Different
properties, stay
distinct Phases meet at interfaces
Matrix phase: continuous body, gives bulk form
Ex: Polymer +
reinforcement =
interface
Dispersed phase: structural part, defines internal structure
Wood: Cellulose Metal matrix composite: matrix is a metal
fibers + lignin
matrix
Better: Strength,
conductivity,
reactivity
Uses:
Electronics,
medicine, energy
Types of Nanostructures
Nanoparticles: tiny solid particles (<100 nm)
Nanotubes: hollow nano
Nanoclusters: group of Nanowires: thin, long nano wires (high
cylinders (e.g., CNTs)
a few–hundred atoms aspect ratio)
Matrix Phase
Matrix phase = continuous body
Surrounds and holds the dispersed phase
Materials used as matrix Key requirements of matrix
1. Metals, ceramics, polymers 1. Ductile and corrosion resistant
2. Examples: Al, Cu, thermoplastic, thermosetting 2. Strong bonding with dispersed phase
polymers
Types of composites by matrix Functions of matrix
1. Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) 1. Binds dispersed phase
2. Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) 2. Transfers applied stress to dispersed phase
3. Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC) 3. Protects dispersed phase from
damage/corrosion
4. Prevents crack growth by its plasticity
Dispersed phase
•Structural part of the composite
•Decides internal structure and properties
•Main forms: fibers, particles, flakes, whiskers
Key characteristics of fibers Fiber as dispersed phase
•Very high tensile strength •Long, thin filament (polymer/metal/ceramic)
•Very high stiffness •Very high length / diameter ratio (high aspect ratio)
•Lowers overall density of composite •Diameter close to crystal size
•Unidirectional fibers → anisotropic behavior
Aramid fibers
Some important dispersed phase constituents are given below-
•Produced by spinning liquid-crystal aramid
oligomers.
Glass fibers Carbon fibers
•Made by forcing glass melt through •Made by pyrolysis of organic fibers (usually •Used with polyester or epoxy resins.
spinneret, then cooling into continuous polyacrylonitrile) in inert atmosphere.
filaments. •Advantages: high modulus and tensile
•Monofilament diameter ≈ 8 μm.
strength; stable over wide temperature range
•Individual filament = monofilament; •Used with epoxy/polyester resins → very high (about −200 °C to 200 °C); resistant to creep
coated with liquid sizing for handling and strength-to-weight composites. and fatigue; excellent toughness and impact
abrasion protection. resistance.
•Popular because: resistant to moisture, acids, bases,
•Popular because: readily available, many solvents; high modulus, specific strength and •Mention briefly: drawback side-note (e.g.,
economical, high specific strength. stiffness even at high temperature.
moisture sensitivity, difficult machining) if you
plan a later slide on limitations.
Fiber Reinforced Composites
•Made of polymer matrix, filaments and a bonding agent
•Common fibers used: glass or metallic
•Properties depend on:
• Arrangement/orientation of fibers
• Fiber concentration
• Fiber distribution in the matrix
•Two extreme orientations:
• Parallel alignment of fiber longitudinal axes in one direction
• Totally random alignment
•Continuous fibers: normally aligned
•Discontinuous fibers: aligned, randomly oriented, or partially oriented
Laminar Composites
•Structural composite is composed of
both homogeneous and composite
materials.
•Properties depend on:
• Properties of constituent materials
• Geometrical design of structural
elements
• Made of two-dimensional sheets/panels with a preferred
•Structural composites are broadly classified high-strength direction
as:
• Laminar composites
• Sandwich panels • Examples: wood, continuous and aligned
fiber-reinforced plastics
Sandwich Panels
•Designed as light-weight beams or panels
•Have relatively high stiffness and strength
•Construction:
• Two outer sheets or faces
• Faces separated by thicker core
• Faces adhesively bonded to core
Core functions:
•Face materials (stiff and strong):
• Aluminum alloys, fiber-reinforced •Separates faces and provides continuous support
plastics •Resists deformations perpendicular to face plane
• Titanium, steel, plywood •Provides shear rigidity along planes perpendicular to faces
Functions of faces:
•Impart high stiffness and strength Honeycomb core:
•Must be thick enough to withstand tensile and •Core made of thin foils in interlocking hexagonal cells
compressive stresses from loading •Cell axes oriented perpendicular to face plane
•Materials: aluminum alloy or aramid polymer
•Strength and stiffness depend on: cell size, cell wall thickness, honeycomb
material
Introduction to Nanotechnology
•“Nano” represents 10⁻⁹ m (one billionth of a
meter).
•Technology based on manipulating
individual atoms and molecules.
•Goal: build nano-size structures with
complex atomic specifications.
•Nanomaterials (nanocrystalline materials)
have grain sizes of nanoscale order.
•They show extremely fascinating and useful
properties for many structural and
non-structural applications.
Types of Nanomaterials Nanorods
Nanoclusters
•Nanorods have an elongated shape and nanoscale dimensions.
•Nanoclusters = small clusters of atoms or molecules.
•They possess a high surface-to-volume ratio → enhanced
•Also called nanoparticles or nanocrystals. reactivity.
•Exist at the nanoscale → show unique properties.
•Useful for catalysis and sensing applications.
•Have high surface-to-volume ratio.
•Melting point can differ from bulk material, affected by
aspect ratio and surface properties.
Synthesis of Nanomaterials
Method of Preparations
Precipitation Method
Step 4:- Isolation and Purification:
Step 1:-Preparation of Precursor Solutions:
Step 2:- Precipitation: Characterization and Application:
Step 3:- Nucleation and Growth:
Sol-Gel Method Step 1:- Preparation of Sol:
Step 2:- Hydrolysis:
Step 3:- Gelation:
Step 4:- Aging and Drying:
Step 5:-Heat Treatment or Calcination:
Characterization and Application:
Conducting Polymers –
•Conducting polymers are speciality polymers that are
electrically conductive.
•They can be made conductive by doping with an electron donor
or acceptor.
•They have an extended π-orbital system.
Types of conducting polymers:
Applications:
[Link] conducting polymers (ICP).
[Link] batteries.
[Link] conducting polymers (DCP).
[Link] coatings, etc
[Link] conducting polymers (ECP).
[Link]-ordination conducting polymers (CCP).
Thank you