Anup K. Ghosh - Processability of Polymeric Composites

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Processing of advanced composites has witnessed a phenomenal growth over the last few decades. It is expected to grow at even a much faster rate due to the emergence of new processing technologies and the availability of a range of reinforcements and matrices. The choices offered by the variety of reinforcements and matrices pose a challenge to selecting the right combinations of materialsnot only from the point of view of the desired properties of the end product but also from the processability. Both quality and cost-effectiveness are also addressed. The availability of various processing technologies and their combination makes this task further complex.

Processability is the capability of any system or material to be converted into the desired outcome or product. The processability in advanced composites is influenced by many factors, such as the chemical nature of the matrix and reinforcement, interactions between phases, physical dimension of the reinforcement, additives, surface treatments on reinforcement, rheology of the matrix or system, temperature, pressure, and so on. Processability of constituents of composites is the key to processing advanced composites for a desired outcome. In this pursuit, there will be a greater demand for trained and highly skilled manpower now than before. Keeping this demand in mind, the authors have written this book for the students, engineers, and technologists who are pursuing a career in the field of processing advanced composites.

This book covers various topics of interest with special references to distinct characteristics of processability in the processing of advanced composites. It starts with Chap., which explains processability and its dimensions. This chapter further describes the classification of advanced composites, properties (physical mechanical, chemical, thermal, etc.) of matrices and reinforcements, and types of reinforcements (in terms of fibres, weaves, particulate, whiskers, etc.). It also discusses factors for quantitative understanding of processability.

In order to make our readers appreciate the potential of polymeric composites in various sectors, applications and advantages of polymeric composites are discussed in Chap.. This chapter gives an insight to the enormity of polymeric composites. It is stressed that the processability aspects for advanced composites have a direct impact on the performance of the product.

Chapterdiscusses micromechanics and macromechanics of advanced composites to impart a better understanding of composites and their mechanical behaviours under stress and strains. This chapter outlines theories for the basic understanding of the performance of advanced composites including the modes of failures. The influence of interfaces of a matrix and reinforcement for creating interphases in advanced composites and role of interphases in the composites are also emphasized in this chapter.

The rheology of a matrix and the rheology of a matrix under the influence of reinforcement are explained in Chap.. The important aspects of processability of thermoset matrices, thermoplastic matrices, and organic/inorganic/hybrid reinforcements are discussed. The selection methodology for matrices and reinforcement in regard to their processability and to develop desired composite product is explained. The differences between theoretical assessment and practical realities in processing, depending on the processability of advanced composite, are emphasized in this book. The processability of preforms and prepregs is also mentioned for a broader understanding of the readers in the area of advanced composite manufacturing. These discussions provide an assessment on the processability of advanced composites and the role of its constituents.

Polymeric composites and their processing technologies are discussed in Chaps.discusses the processability of thermoplastic composites. Thermosetting composites are considered to be workhorse of composite industries. The role and functions of thermosetting matrices, interaction with reinforcement, and compatibility with processing technology have been elaborated. On similar lines, the roles, interactions, and compatible processing technologies of thermoplastic matrices have been discussed from the point of processability.

The processing of composites is an intensive study; therefore, the selection of processing technologies for making composite products plays an important role for the desired outcome and properties. The processability aspects of open mould processing technologies (hand layup, filament winding, tape winding, etc.) are deliberated in Chap.. Closed mould processing technologies (matched die moulding, compression moulding, autoclaving, injection moulding, extrusion, pultrusion, etc.) are used for production of composite products with high dimensional accuracies. The cost of the product depends upon processing technologies.

The efficacy of processability of advanced composites is vindicated by the quality of the resultant composite product. Therefore, Chap.also discusses the structureproperty relationship in composites.

This book is focused on the processability of advanced composites with respect to various processing technologies. It provides much-needed insight on the processability aspects suiting specific processing technologies. This book covers a broad horizon on various aspects of processability to enable the reader to assess and correlate advanced composites manufactured by different processing technologies. This will help students, engineers, and technologists to select right processing technology for processing specific advanced composites.