This comprehensive single volume handbook covers every aspect of reinforcement science, from hands-on subjects, such as manual 'lay-up' processing, to theoretical discussions concerning rheology and modeling. Taken from the recently published six volume International Encyclopedia of Composites, this reference volume offers scholarly and practical knowledge of distinguished industry-experts, academics, and government researchers in one accessible and informative handbook. Fibers, processes, and composite reinforcement types, as well as relevant miscellaneous subjects such as property relationships, manufacturing, hybrid reinforcements, and modeling are given detailed treatment. Engineers, materials scientists, and technologists will find the Composite Reinforcement Handbook an invaluable tool.

This unique volume covers the results of the world-wide efforts to implement natural polymers as engineering plastics and the use of their inherent properties. The processing opportunities and the applications of the natural materials as reinforcement of polymer composites are discussed, including the structural, morphological and thermal characterization as well as the mechanical behavior of the obtained materials. Also covered is the preparation of biodegradable homopolymers, blends and composites, which involves chemical reactions, regardless of the type of the starting material.

This book presents an introduction to the design and manufacture of fibre-reinforced composites. The mechanical properties of unidirectional composites are considered in a structural design context. The use of woven and random fibres is also addressed. The accuracy of design estimates for unidirectional composites is benchmarked against test data, and the relevance of a factor of safety (FoS) is established. The importance of prototype testing is emphasised. This book illustrates how to make a fibre-reinforced composite. Wet layup, vacuum bagging and prepreg moulding are covered in detail. Some guidance on mould design and construction is also provided. Finally, an introduction to the manufacture of composite tubes is presented. Wherever possible, design and make examples are used to illustrate the content. Tutorial questions and problems are included at the end of each chapter. The reader is encouraged to use these questions and problems to assess their own level of understanding of the content.

Composite Reinforcements for Optimum Performance, Second Edition, has been brought fully up to date with the latest developments in the field. It reviews the materials, properties and modelling techniques used in composite production and highlights their uses in optimizing performance. Part I covers materials for reinforcements in composites, including chapters on fibers, carbon nanotubes and ceramics as reinforcement materials. In Part II, different types of structures for reinforcements are discussed, with chapters covering woven and braided reinforcements, three-dimensional fibre structures and two methods of modelling the geometry of textile reinforcements: WiseTex and TexGen. Part III focuses on the properties of composite reinforcements, with chapters on topics such as in-plane shear properties, transverse compression, bending and permeability properties. Finally, Part IV covers the characterization and modelling of reinforcements in composites, with chapters focusing on microscopic and mesoscopic approaches, X-ray tomography analysis and modelling reinforcement forming processes. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Composite Reinforcements for Optimum Performance, Second Edition, is an essential reference for designers and engineers working in the composite and composite reinforcement manufacturing industry, as well as all those with an academic research interest in the subject. - Discusses the characterization and modeling of reinforcements in composites, focusing on such topics as microscopic and mesoscopic approaches, X-ray tomography analysis, and modeling reinforcement forming processes - Provides comprehensive coverage of the types and properties of reinforcement in composites, along with their production and performance optimization - Includes sections on NCF (non-crimp fabrics), natural fiber reinforcements, tufting composite reinforcements, sustainability, multiscale modeling, knitted reinforcements, and more

The potential application areas for polymer composites are vast. While techniques and methodologies for composites design are relatively well established, the knowledge and understanding of post-design issues lag far behind. This leads to designs and eventually composites with disappointing properties and unnecessarily high cost, thus impeding a wider industrial acceptance of polymer composites. Manufacturing of Polymer Composites completely covers pre- and post-design issues. While the book enables students to become fully comfortable with composites as a possible materials choice, it also provides sufficient knowledge about manufacturing-related issues to permit them to avoid common pitfalls and unmanufacturable designs. The book is a fully comprehensive text covering all commercially significant materials and manufacturing techniques while at the same time discussing areas of research and development that are nearing commercial reality.

Sheet forming is the most common process used in metal forming and is therefore constantly being adapted or modified to suit the needs of forming composite sheets. Due to the increasing availability of various types of fibre reinforced polymeric sheets, especially with thermoplastic matrices, the scope of use of such materials is rapidly expanding in the automobile, building, sports and other manufacturing industries beyond the traditional areas of aerospace and aircraft applications. This book contains twelve chapters and attempts to cover different aspects of sheet forming including both thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. In view of the expanded role of fibre reinforced composite sheets in the industry, the book also describes some non-traditional applications, processes and analytical techniques involving such materials.The first chapter is a brief introduction to the principles of sheet metal forming. The next two chapters introduce the various forms of materials, manufacturing techniques and the fundamentals of computer simulation. Chapter 4 describes the different aspects of thermoforming of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics and the following chapter studies the shear and frictional behaviour of composite sheets during forming. Chapter 6 explores the possibility of applying the grid strain analysis method in continuous fibre reinforced polymeric sheets. The next two chapters address fundamental concepts and recent developments in finite element modelling and rheology. Chapter 9 introduces the theory of bending of thermoplastic composite sheets and shows a novel way of determining both longitudinal and transverse viscosities through vee-bend tests. A significant expansion in the usage of composite materials is taking place in biomedical areas. Chapter 10 discusses the thermoforming of knitted fabric reinforced thermoplastics for load bearing and anisotropic bio-implants. The final chapter introduces roll forming, a commonly used rapid manufacturing process for sheet metals, and discusses the possibility of applying it economically for continuous reinforced thermoplastic sheets.

Handbook of Advances in Braided Composite Materials: Theory, Production, Testing and Applications focuses on the fundamentals of these materials and their associated technology. It provides a one-stop resource that outlines all the significant issues about structural braiding, providing readers with the means by which to produce, test, and design braided composite material structures. It documents the latest research findings into these advanced materials and provides new ideas to encourage greater use of the technology. - Introduces new modeling and testing procedures - Presents up-to-date technology developments and recent research findings - Provides both an Android and IPhone App to support design criteria