Fibre-reinforced composites: Their fabrication, properties and applications

An attempt has been made to describe the wide range of composites based on the combination of reinforcing fibres like carbon, aramids, high-modulus polyethylene, ceramic, boron and glass with matrices like thermosetting resins, thermoplastic polymers, soft metals, ceramics and carbon. Starting with the definition and classification of composites, the advantages of the fibrous shape and of an optimum adhesion between the fibre and the matrix are considered. This is followed by an account of the properties of the constituents of the composites, viz. the fibres and the matrices. The composite fabrication processes are then described. Finally, the properties and major applications of the composites are briefly discussed.