Annotation Over the past three decades, the terminology of composite materials has been well acknowledged by the technical community, and composite materials have been gaining exponential acceptance in a diversity of industries, serving as competitive candidates for traditional structural and functional materials to realize current and future trends imposed on high performance structures. Striking examples of breakthroughs based on utilization of composite materials are increasingly found nowadays in transportation vehicles (aircraft, space shuttle and automobile), civil infrastructure (buildings, bridge and highway barriers), and sporting goods (F1, golf club, sailboat) etc., owing to an improved understanding of their performance characteristics and application potentials, especially innovative, cost-effective manufacturing processes. As the equivalent of ICCM in the Asian-Australasian regions, the Asian-Australasian Association for Composite Materials (AACM) has been playing a vital leading role in the field of composites science and technology since its inception in 1997 in Australia. Following the excellent reputations and traditions of previous ACCMs, ACCM-4 is held in scenic Sydney, Australia, 6-9 July 2004. The theme of ACCM-4, Composites Technologies for 2020, provides a forum to present state-of-the-art achievements and recent advances in composites sciences & technologies, and discuss and identify key and emerging issues for future pursuits. By bringing together leading experts and promising innovators from the research institutions, end-use industries and academia, ACCM-4 intends to facilitate broadband knowledge sharing and identify opportunities for long-term cooperative research and development ventures. The scope of ACCM-4 is broad. It includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: Bi- composites, Ceramic matrix composites, Durability and aging, NDE and SHM Eco-composites, Manufacturing and processing technologies, Industrial applications, Interphases and interfaces, Impact and dynamic response Matrices (polymers, ceramics, and metals), Mechanical and physical properties (fatigue, fracture, micromechanics, viscoelastic behavior, buckling and failure, etc.), Metal matrix composites, Multi-functional composites, Nano-composites, Reinforcements (textiles, strand, and mat), Smart materials and structures, Technology transfer (education, training, etc.)

Durability of Composite Systems meets the challenge of defining these precepts and requirements, from first principles, to applications in a diverse selection of technical fields selected to form a corpus of concepts and methodologies that define the field of durability in composite material systems as a modern discipline. That discipline includes not only the classical rigor of mechanics, physics and chemistry, but also the critical elements of thermodynamics, data analytics, and statistical uncertainty quantification as well as other requirements of the modern subject. This book provides a comprehensive summary of the field, suited to both reference and instructional use. It will be essential reading for academic and industrial researchers, materials scientists and engineers and all those working in the design, analysis and manufacture of composite material systems. - Makes essential direct and detailed connections to modern concepts and methodologies, such as machine learning, systems controls, sustainable and resilient systems, and additive manufacturing - Provides a careful balance between theory and practice so that presentations of details of methodology and philosophy are always driven by a context of applications and examples - Condenses selected information regarding the durability of composite materials in a wide spectrum of applications in the automotive, wind energy, civil engineering, medical devices, electrical systems, aerospace and nuclear fields

This book focuses on the emerging additive manufacturing technology and its applications beyond state-of-the-art, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics. It also discusses the development of a hybrid, integrated process that combines additive and subtractive operations in a single-step platform, allowing CAD-to-Part production with freeform shapes using long or continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics. The book covers the entire value chain of this next-generation technology, from part design and materials composition to transformation stages, product evaluation, and end-of-life studies. Moreover, it addresses the following engineering issues: • Design rules for hybrid additive manufacturing; • Thermoplastic compounds for high-temperature and -strength applications; • Advanced extrusion heads and process concepts; • Hybridisation strategies; • Software ecosystems for hAM design, pre-processing, process planning, emulating and multi-axis processing; • 3D path generators for hAM based on a multi-objective optimisation algorithm that matches the recent curved adaptive slicing method with a new transversal scheme; • hAM parameters, real-time monitoring and closed-loop control; • Multiparametric nondestructive testing (NDT) tools customised for FRTP AM parts; • Sustainable manufacturing processes validated by advanced LCA/LCC models.

Carbon and glass fibre reinforced composite materials have been used for many years in several different types of applications. However, these conventional composites are derived from non-renewable reinforcements and they pose a significant threat to the environment. Government legislation and consumer behaviour have recently forced many industries to adapt sustainable composites. Industries such as automotive, marine and aerospace are now seeking sustainable lightweight composites with the aim to reduce the overall weight of the components with enhanced materials and design aspects. Therefore, there is high demand on research for the development of sustainable lightweight composites. This book presents a comprehensive review of lightweight composites with the central aim to increase their use in key industrial sectors such as automotive, marine and aerospace. There is no such book currently available that is dedicated to sustainable lightweight applications covering important topics such as key drivers for lightweight composites, mechanical properties, damage characterisation, durability and environmental aspects. Key topics that are addressed include: - The roles of reinforcements and matrices in composite materials - Sustainable natural fibre reinforcements and their morphological structures - Lightweight applications and properties requirements - Design, manufacturing processes and their effects on properties - Testing and damage characterisation of composite materials - Sustainable composites and techniques for property enhancement - Future trends and challenges for sustainable composites in lightweight applications It will be a valuable reference resource for those working in material Science, polymer science, materials engineering, and industries involved in the manufacture of automotive and aerospace components from lightweight composite materials. - Provides a comprehensive review of sustainable lightweight composites looking at key industrial applications such as automotive, marine, and aerospace and construction - Important relationships between structure and properties are analysed in detail - Enhancement of properties through hybrid systems, are also explored with emphasis on design, materials selection and manufacturing techniques

Polymer composites are increasingly used in aerospace applications due to properties such as strength and durability compared to weight. Edited by two leading authorities in the field, this book summarises key recent research on design, manufacture and performance of composite components for aerospace structures. Part one reviews the design and manufacture of different types of composite component. Part two discusses aspects of performance such as stiffness, strength, fatigue, impact and blast behaviour, response to temperature and humidity as well as non-destructive testing and monitoring techniques.

There has been a major resurgence of braiding in worldwide manufacturing and new testing technologies using imaging processes are now being employed. This has allowed significant findings and a better understanding of braided materials. The Handbook of Advances in Braided Composite Materials, Second Edition extensively reviews the properties, design, and manufacturing, testing and next generation applications of braided composite materials. Following the introductory chapter and the opening topic of working with the enclosed composite apps, Part One discusses manufacturing processes and advanced testing of braided composite materials. Part Two then looks at predicting properties and designing braided composite materials, including mechanics for braided composite materials such as micromechanics, macromechanics and ply mechanics. Advances in 2D and 3D modeling, as well as design of braided composite materials, are also covered. Finally, Part Three provides information on the applications of Next Generation braided composite materials. These topics consist of shape memory composites, nanostructures in braids, electrospinning, braidtrusion and green braids. The book presents up-to-date technology developments and recent research findings, along with an android and IPhone App to support design criteria, which is available via an online open source platform provided by the editor. Industrial manufacturers of braided composites, academic researchers working in the design and development of braided composites, professional engineers and postgraduate students will find this book an essential read. - Covers new developments in advanced testing methods and imaging technology - Presents new findings in manufacturing and material properties - Discusses new developments in sustainable green braided composites, and in 3D braiding