This very practical book is intended to show how composites are increasingly being used in real-world applications in areas where the primary material choice in the past would have been exclusively metals-based. A series of in-depth case studies examiines the design processes involved in putting together aircraft fuselages, Formua 1 cars, Transit van roofs, infrastructure systems for water treatment and storage and many other novel applications for FRCs. It shows how an awareness of engineering properties needs to be built into the design process at an early stage.It is essential for professionals in, and newcomers to, the FRP industry; executives in engineering and manufacturing who are considering using FRPs in place of more traditional materials; students in materials science and engineering.

This book presents the basics of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP). The author presents the material-specific advantages of FRP and the typical areas of their application. The problems created by conventional, non-integrating product development are listed and the author states how these problems are potentially overcome by integrated product development (IPD). In addition, it is explained why IPD is of particular importance for FRP. An approach to IPD for FRP-parts is presented. It is explained step by step how a catalogue of requirements is defined as well as how this basis is used to develop a concept, a design, and a final construction. Simple but effective methods for the selection of fiber materials, semi-finished products and manufacturing processes are highlighted in this book. A concluding chapter describes an approach to techno-economic evaluation. Throughout the book, practical application examples show the reader how to put the gained knowledge into practice.

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have proven to be useful for a wide range of applications because of properties such as their light weight, toughness and temperature resistance. Advances in ceramic matrix composites summarises key advances and types of processing of CMCs.After an introductory chapter, the first part of the book reviews types and processing of CMCs, covering processing, properties and applications. Chapters discuss nanoceramic matric composites, silicon carbide-containing alumina nanocomposites and advances in manufacture by various infiltration techniques including heat treatments and spark plasma sintering. The second part of the book is dedicated to understanding the properties of CMCs with chapters on Finite Element Analysis, tribology and wear and self-healing CMCs. The final part of the book examines the applications of CMCs, including those in the structural engineering, nuclear and fusion energy, turbine, metal cutting and microelectronics industries.Advances in ceramic matrix composites is an essential text for researchers and engineers in the field of CMCs and industries such as aerospace and automotive engineering. - Reviews types and processing of CMCs, covering processing, properties and applications

Toughening Mechanisms in Composite Materials aims to provide a comprehensive and technically detailed coverage of composites and their toughening mechanisms. Unique in its direct and comprehensive approach, the book presents fundamental knowledge on composites' toughening mechanisms as well as a comprehensive treatment of numerical methods. This volume summarizes the current state-of-the-art and presents the most recent research outcomes in the field. It details the development of each of the techniques, beginning with basic principles, and new concepts are illustrated with examples wherever possible. - Covers particle-reinforced composites, fibre-reinforced composites and other toughening mechanisms - Analyses toughening mechanisms in a broad range of composite materials - Developments in nanotube toughened composites and toughened graphene ceramic composites are examined

Natural fiber-reinforced composites have the potential to replace synthetic composites, leading to less expensive, stronger and more environmentally-friendly materials. This book provides a detailed review on how a broad range of biofibers can be used as reinforcements in composites and assesses their overall performance. The book is divided into five major parts according to the origins of the different biofibers. Part I contains chapters on bast fibers, Part II; leaf fibers, Part III; seed fibers, Part IV; grass, reed and cane fibers, and finally Part V covers wood, cellulosic and other fibers including cellulosic nanofibers. Each chapter reviews a specific type of biofiber providing detailed information on the sources of each fiber, their cultivation, how to process and prepare them, and how to integrate them into composite materials. The chapters outline current and potential applications for each fiber and discuss their main strengths and weaknesses. - The book is divided into five major parts according to the origins of the different biofibers - bast, leaf, seed; grass, reed and cane fibers, and finally wood, cellulosic and other fibers including cellulosic nanofibers. - This book provides a detailed review on how a broad range of biofibers can be used as reinforcements in composites and assesses their overall performance - The chapters outline current and potential applications for each fiber and discuss their main strengths and weaknesses

Residual stresses are a common phenomenon in composite materials. They can either add to or significantly reduce material strength. Because of the increasing demand for high-strength, light-weight materials such as composites and their wide range of applications in the aerospace and automotive industries, in civil infrastructure and in sporting applications, it is critical that the residual stresses of composite materials are understood and measured correctly.The first part of this important book reviews destructive and non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for measuring residual stresses. Various mathematical (analytical and numerical) methods for calculation of residual stresses in composite materials are also presented. Chapters in the first section of the book discuss the simulated hole drilling method, the slitting/crack compliance method, measuring residual stresses in homogeneous and composite glass materials using photoelastic techniques, and modeling residual stresses in composite materials. The second part of the book discusses residual stresses in polymer matrix, metal-matrix and a range of other types of composites. Moreover, the addition of nanoparticles to the matrix of polymeric composites as a new technique for reduction of residual stresses is discussed.Residual stresses in composite materials provides a comprehensive overview of this important topic, and is an invaluable reference text for both academics and professionals working in the mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace, automotive, marine and sporting industries. - Reviews destructive and non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for measuring residual stresses - Discusses residual stresses in polymer matrix, metal-matrix and other types of composite - Considers the addition of nanoparticles to the matrix of polymeric composites as a new technique for reduction of residual stresses

Composite materials, with their higher exposure to dynamic loads, have increasingly been used in aerospace, naval, automotive, sports and other sectors over the last few decades. Dynamic Deformation, Damage and Fracture in Composite Materials and Structures reviews various aspects of dynamic deformation, damage and fracture, mostly in composite laminates and sandwich structures, in a broad range of application fields including aerospace, automotive, defense and sports engineering. As the mechanical behavior and performance of composites varies under different dynamic loading regimes and velocities, the book is divided into sections that examine the different loading regimes and velocities. Part one examine low-velocity loading and part two looks at high-velocity loading. Part three then assesses shock and blast (i.e. contactless) events and the final part focuses on impact (contact) events. As sports applications of composites are linked to a specific subset of dynamic loading regimes, these applications are reviewed in the final part. - Examines dynamic deformation and fracture of composite materials - Covers experimental, analytical and numerical aspects - Addresses important application areas such as aerospace, automotive, wind energy and defence, with a special section on sport applications