Flow Induced Alignment In Composite Materials

The purpose of aligning short fibers in a fiber-reinforced material is to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composite. Aligning the fibers, generally in a preferred direction, allows them to contribute as much as possible to reinforcing the material. In some cases, the mechanical properties of these aligned, short-fiber composites can approach those of continuous-fiber composites, with the advantages of lower production costs and greater ease of production. Since its publication, this book has been consistently recognized as one of the most important contributions to this field.

The purpose of aligning short fibers in a fiber-reinforced material is to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composite. Aligning the fibers, generally in a preferred direction, allows them to contribute as much as possible to reinforcing the material. The first edition of this book detailed, in a single volume, the science, processing, applications, characterization and properties of composite materials reinforced with short fibers that have been orientated in a preferred direction by flows arising during processing. The technology of fiber-reinforced composites is continually evolving and this new edition provides timely and much needed information about this important class of engineering materials. Each of the original chapters have been brought fully up-to-date and new developments such as: the advent of nano-composites and the issues relating to their alignment; the wider use of long-fiber composites and the appearance of models able to capture their orientation during flow; the wider use of flows in micro-channels in the context of composites fabrication; and the increase in computing power, which has made relevant simulations (especially coupling flow kinematics to fiber content and orientation) much easier to perform are all covered in detail. The book will be an essential up-to-date reference resource for materials scientists, students, and engineers who are working in the relevant areas of particulate composites, short fiber-reinforced composites or nanocomposites. Presents recent progress on flow-induced alignment, modelling and design of fiber and particulate filled polymer composites Discusses important advances such as alignment of CNTs in polymer nanocomposites and molecular alignment of polymers induced by the injection molding process in the presence of fillers such as short fibers Presents fiber interaction/diffusion modelling and also the fiber flexure/breakage models

The purpose of aligning short fibres in a fibre-reinforced material is to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composite. Aligning the fibres, generally in a preferred direction, allows them to contribute as much as possible to reinforcing the material. Flow induced alignment in composite materials details, in a single volume, the science, processing, applications, characterisation and properties of composite materials reinforced with short fibres that have been orientated in a preferred direction by flows arising during processing. The topics discussed include fibre alignment and materials rheology; processes that can produce fibre alignment in polymeric, liquid crystal polymeric, and metallic composites; materials characterization and mechanical properties; and modelling of processes and materials properties. The technology of fibre-reinforced composites is continually evolving and this book provides timely and much needed information about this important class of engineering materials. The bookis an essential reference work for industry and an indispensable guide for the research worker, advanced student and materials scientist.

A multi-reference source spanning the whole composites science field, this text covers such topics as: fibre reinforcements and general theory of composites; polymer matrix composites; metal matrix composites; test methods, nondestructive evaluation and smart composites; and design and application.

Accompanyind CR-ROM conrtains The Encyclopedia of Materials Science and Technology on a web access disc.