Optical Microscopy Of Fiber Reinforced Composites

Optical microscopy is one of the most valuable--but under utilized--tools for analyzing fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. This hands-on instructional book covers everything: sample preparation, microscopic techniques, and applications. The power of optical microscopy to study the microstructure of these heterogeneous, anisotropic materials is illustrated with over 180 full color images.

Durability and Life Prediction in Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites focuses on the advanced characterization techniques used for the analysis of composite materials developed from natural fiber/biomass, synthetic fibers and a combination of these materials used as fillers and reinforcements to enhance materials performance and utilization in automotive, aerospace, construction and building components. The book presents key aspects of fracture and failure in natural/synthetic, fiber reinforced, polymer based composite materials, ranging from crack propagation, to crack growth, and from notch-size effect, to damage-tolerant design. Written by leading experts in the field, and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the book's chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials. Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and the modelling of damage in natural fiber-based composite materials Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis Provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, testing methods and modelling techniques

In the past 50 years, great progress has been made in developing artificial fiber-reinforced composite materials, generally using filaments with microscopic diameters. An array of reinforcement forms can be used in commercial applications - with the microstructure being a critical factor in realizing the required properties in a material. Microstructural Characterisation of Fibre-Reinforced Composites comprehensively examines the application of advanced microstructural characterization techniques to fiber-reinforced composites.

Nano- and micro-sized natural fibers of vegetable origin are fully biodegradable in nature. However, the nano- and micro-sized synthetic fibers are fully man-made. Fiber-reinforced composites composed of stiffened fiber and matrix are well-known engineering materials. Fiber-reinforced materials have been used in industrial production. Natural fibers can be obtained from many sources in nature such as wool, sisal, ramie, kenaf, jute, hemp, grass, flax, cotton, coir, bamboo and abaca, banana, and sugarcane bagasse. Artificial fibers have been produced from more stiff materials such as glass, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon, aramid, boron and polyethylene (PE). The cyclic reusability of materials is an important qualification in protecting the environment from waste pollution. Three important factors can be mentioned in terms of material properties in the recycling process. The first factor is "the rate of cyclic usage," the second one is "less material loss in each recycle," and the last one is "the role of waste products in the self-renewal of ecosystem." In engineering area, the usage of waste materials has taken into account in production of composite materials. The use of waste materials as particulate-type composite production is also possible in the industry. Fiber-reinforced materials can be grouped into two categories: "the natural fiber-reinforced materials" and "the artificially produced fiber-reinforced materials." Finally, we conclude that this book consists of mainly summarized three subject headings within the two specific book subsections : The first group contains the main subjects related to the natural and artificial fibers obtained by literature review; second, experimental and numerical studies are made in order to perform the necessary arrangements in the production stages and to establish a decision mechanism on the specification of the technical properties of the fiber-reinforced composites. The third group of studies focused on the use of sustainable bio-composites and recycled textile wastes as reinforcements in construction.

Structural Health Monitoring of Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites provides detailed information on failure analysis, mechanical and physical properties, structural health monitoring, durability and life prediction, modelling of damage processes of natural fiber, synthetic fibers, and natural/natural, and natural/synthetic fiber hybrid composites. It provides a comprehensive review of both established and promising new technologies currently under development in the emerging area of structural health monitoring in aerospace, construction and automotive structures. In addition, it describes SHM methods and sensors related to specific composites and how advantages and limitations of various sensors and methods can help make informed choices. Written by leading experts in the field, and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the book's chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials. Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and the modelling of damage in natural fiber-based composite materials Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis Provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, testing methods and modelling techniques

Over the last 50 years, great progress has been made in developing artificial fibre-reinforced composite materials, generally using filaments with microscopic diameters. A wide range of reinforcement forms, from random arrays to fully aligned, can be used for commercial applications, with the microstructure being a critical factor in realising the required properties in a material. This is the first up-to-date review of how to apply advanced microstructural characterisation techniques to fibre-reinforced composites. Each chapter is designed to offer both a stand-alone introduction to its topic and detailed referencing for follow-up research. With contributions from experts from around the world, the book will be an essential reference for materials scientists and research workers in industry and academia alike. Comprehensive and up-to-date review of the microstructural features of composites Covers a wide range of microstructure characterisation techniques

This comprehensive reference work provides an overview of, and practical guide to, the various computer-aided microscopical techniques used in materials science today. After introducing the reader to the basic concepts of optics, the interactions between light and matter, and image processing, the book goes on to discuss in depth both 2D reflection microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The application of these techniques to the characterisation of materials is abundantly illustrated by hundreds of photographs and illustrations, and through specific case studies. There is also discussion of other modern optical imaging techniques and of non-optical ones such as x-ray micrography. This reference text is essential both for beginners looking for an introduction to the subject as well as advanced materials researchers in the fields where optical microscopy is used. Major reference work on the application of microscopy techniques to materials science research Includes over 420 photographs and illustrations Provides detailed coverage of the major light microscopical techniques including optical reflection microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as novel techniques such raman microscopy, tomography and microtomography