Overview

Abstract

The phrase ‘composite material’ refers to a material that is formed by combining two or more materials on a macroscopic scale. Structures made of such materials are called composite structures. Composite materials are fabricated to have better engineering properties than the conventional materials, for example, metals. Some of the properties that can be improved by forming a composite material are: stiffness, strength, weight, corrosion resistance, thermal properties, fatigue life and wear resistance. Most man-made composite materials are made from two materials: a reinforcement material and a parent or matrix material. Composite materials are finding applications in a variety of systems; including aircraft and submarine structures, space structures, automobiles, sports equipment, medical prosthetic devices, and electronic circuit boards. They are most suitable in applications that require high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. With the increased use of fiber-reinforced composites in structural components, studies involving the behavior of components made of composites are receiving considerable attention. Functional requirements and economic considerations of design are forcing engineers to seek reliable and accurate yet economical methods of determining static and dynamic characteristics of the structural components.