Composite materials (also known as compositing materials, or simply composites) are materials formed by combining two or more materials with different properties to produce a final material with unique characteristics. These materials do not mix or dissolve together, but remain distinct within the final composite structure. Composite materials can be manufactured to be stronger, lighter or more durable than traditional materials due to the properties they obtain by combining their different components.
Most of the compounds are composed of two materials: the matrix (or binder) surrounds a group of fibers or fragments of a stronger material (reinforcement). A common example of this structure is fiberglass, which was developed in the 1940s to be the first modern compound and is still widely used. In fiberglass, thin glass fibers, which are woven into a kind of fabric, act as reinforcement in a plastic or resin matrix.
While composite materials are not a new concept (for example, mud bricks, made of dried mud embedded with pieces of straw, have existed for thousands of years), recent technologies have brought many exciting new compounds to life. . By careful selection of the matrix and reinforcement (as well as the best manufacturing process to join them) it is possible to create significantly superior materials, with custom properties for specific needs. Typical composite materials include composite building materials such as cement and concrete, different metal compounds, plastic compounds and ceramic compounds.
How are composite materials made?
The three main factors that help shape the final composite material are the matrix, the reinforcement and the manufacturing process. As a matrix, many composite materials use resins, which are thermosetting or thermosetting plastics (hence the name of «reinforced plastics» that are often given). These are polymers that hold the reinforcement together and help determine the physical properties of the final compound.
Thermosetting plastics start as liquids but then harden with heat. They do not return to the liquid state and, therefore, are durable, even in extreme exposure to chemicals and wear. Thermosetting plastics are hard at low temperatures and soften with heat. They are used less frequently, but have interesting advantages, such as the long shelf life of the raw material and the recycling capacity. There are other matrix materials such as ceramics, carbon and metals that are used for specific purposes.
Reinforcement materials grow more varied with time and technology, but the most commonly used are glass fibers. Advanced compounds tend to favor carbon fibers as reinforcement, which are much stronger than glass fibers, but they are also more expensive. Carbon fiber composites are strong and lightweight, and are used in aircraft structures and sports equipment (golf clubs and various rackets). They are also increasingly used to replace metals that replace human bones. Some polymers are good reinforcement materials and help make composite materials that are strong and lightweight.
The manufacturing process generally involves a mold, in which the reinforcement is placed first and then the semi-liquid matrix is sprayed or poured to form the object. Molding processes are traditionally done by hand, although machine processing is increasingly common. One of the new methods is called ‘pultrusion’ and is ideal for making products that are straight and have a constant cross section, such as different types of beams. Products of a thin or complex shape (such as curved panels) are constructed by applying woven fiber reinforcement sheets, saturated with matrix material, on a mold. Advanced compounds (such as those used in airplanes) are generally made of a plastic honeycomb held between two sheets of carbon fiber reinforced composite material, resulting in high strength, low weight and flexural stiffness.
Where can the compounds be found?
Composite materials have many obvious advantages, since they can be manufactured to be lightweight, strong, resistant to corrosion and heat, flexible, transparent and more according to specific needs. The compounds are already used in many industries, such as ships, aerospace, sports equipment (golf clubs, tennis rackets, surfboards, hockey sticks and more), automotive components, wind turbine blades, armor, construction materials, bridges , medical services and others. The merits and potential of composite materials ensure extensive research in the field that is expected to bring future developments and implementations in additional markets.
Thermosetting plastics start as liquids but then harden with heat. They do not return to the liquid state and, therefore, are durable, even in extreme exposure to chemicals and wear. Thermosetting plastics are hard at low temperatures and soften with heat. They are used less frequently, but have interesting advantages, such as the long shelf life of the raw material and the recycling capacity. There are other matrix materials such as ceramics, carbon and metals that are used for specific purposes.
Reinforcement materials grow more varied with time and technology, but the most commonly used are glass fibers. Advanced compounds tend to favor carbon fibers as reinforcement, which are much stronger than glass fibers, but they are also more expensive. Carbon fiber composites are strong and lightweight, and are used in aircraft structures and sports equipment (golf clubs and various rackets). They are also increasingly used to replace metals that replace human bones. Some polymers are good reinforcement materials and help make composite materials that are strong and lightweight.
The manufacturing process generally involves a mold, in which the reinforcement is placed first and then the semi-liquid matrix is sprayed or poured to form the object. Molding processes are traditionally done by hand, although machine processing is increasingly common. One of the new methods is called ‘pultrusion’ and is ideal for making products that are straight and have a constant cross section, such as different types of beams. Products of a thin or complex shape (such as curved panels) are constructed by applying woven fiber reinforcement sheets, saturated with matrix material, on a mold. Advanced compounds (such as those used in airplanes) are generally made of a plastic honeycomb held between two sheets of carbon fiber reinforced composite material, resulting in high strength, low weight and flexural stiffness.
¿Where?
Composite materials have many obvious advantages, as they can be manufactured to be lightweight, strong, resistant to corrosion and heat, flexible, transparent and more according to specific needs. The compounds are already used in many industries, such as ships, aerospace, sports equipment (golf clubs, tennis rackets, surfboards, hockey sticks and more), automotive components, wind turbine blades, armor, construction materials, bridges , medical services and others. The merits and potential of composite materials ensure extensive research in the field that is expected to bring future developments and implementations in additional markets.
Modern aviation is a specific example of an industry with complex needs and requirements, which benefits greatly from the advantages of composite materials. This industry raises demands for light and strong materials, which are also durable to heat and corrosion. No wonder, then, that many aircraft have wing and tail sections, as well as propellers and rotor blades made of composite materials, along with much of the internal structure.
¿What is graphene?
Graphene is a two-dimensional matrix of carbon atoms, arranged in a honeycomb network. A single sheet of graphene of one square meter would weigh only 0.0077 grams but could support up to four kilograms. That means he is thin and light, but also incredibly strong. It also has a large surface area, great conductivity of heat and electricity and a variety of incredible additional features. This is probably the reason why scientists and researchers call it «a miraculous material» and predict that it will revolutionize almost every industry known to man.
Graphene and composite materials
As stated earlier, graphene has a lot of unprecedented attributes, any of which could be used to make extraordinary compounds. The presence of graphene can improve the conductivity and strength of bulk materials and help create composite materials with superior qualities. Graphene can also be added to metals, polymers and ceramics to create compounds that are conductive and resistant to heat and pressure.
Graphene compounds have many potential applications, with much research to create unique and innovative materials. The applications seem endless, since a graphene-polymer turns out to be light, flexible and an excellent electrical conductor, while another graphene dioxide compound proved to be an interesting photocatalytic efficiency, with many other possible material couplings so that one day Any kind of compounds. The potential of graphene compounds includes medical implants, engineering materials for the aerospace and renewable industry and much more.
