What is Composite Materials?

-


 Composite materials are made by combining two or more different materials that have different physical and chemical properties. The different components of a composite material are distinct from each other even at a macroscopic level.


Properties of composite materials  
High corrosion resistance
High fatigue resistance
High impact strength
Low weight-to-strength ratio
Low thermal and electrical conductivity
High wear resistance
Creep resistant

Examples of composite materials

Reinforced concrete
A composite material made of concrete and steel  

Wood-plastic composite
A composite material made of wood fiber or flour cast in plastic  

Fibreglass
A composite material made of small glass shards held together by resin and other components  

Polymer matrix composites
A broad category of composites made of a polymer-based matrix reinforced with fibers  

Engineered wood
A composite material made of manufactured wood combined with other low-cost materials  
Composite materials are used in many industries because they are versatile, cost-effective and easy to manufacture.









Tesla: Successful Integration of Composites in Electric Vehicles

There are many success stories of integrating composites in battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel-cell electric vehicles. In June 2023, the largest EV manufacturers included BYD (China), Tesla Inc (United States) and VW Group (Germany).

The Tesla Roadster uses lightweight carbon fibre and an epoxy composite for its skin, which makes it highly aerodynamic.  According to Tesla, this composite ‘took two years to design, prototype, test, redesign and retest.’ It also uses carbon fibre body panels layered with glass, polypropylene, carbon and epoxy resin. Tesla’s Cybertruck uses ‘Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled Stainless-steel’ for its exterior shell and polymer-layered composite for its ‘Armour Glass’ feature, which absorbs and redistributes energy from an impact.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Six Sigma?

-
Image
  Six Sigma is a data-driven methodology that aims to reduce defects and improve process efficiency.  Process improvement is the driving force behind organizational evolution, unlocking greater efficiency, quality, and innovation. It's the key to staying competitive, reducing waste, and ensuring progress toward excellence. Embracing process improvement isn't just a choice; it's imperative for businesses and institutions committed to continuous growth and success. 1. Understanding Six Sigma What is Six Sigma? Six Sigma is a quality management methodology that focuses on minimizing defects, reducing process variation, and improving efficiency. It follows a structured DMAIC approach and uses statistical tools to make data-driven decisions. 2. The DMAIC Methodology – The Core of Six Sigma Green Belt The DMAIC process (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) is the foundation of Six Sigma projects. A. Define Phase (Problem Identification) ✔ Identify project goals and cust...
Read more

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

-
Image
  Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a computer-based technique that analyzes and predicts the behavior of fluids. The Navier-Stokes equations are the fundamental set of equations used in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate and analyze fluid flow behavior, essentially acting as the core mathematical foundation for most CFD simulations; meaning that CFD primarily relies on solving the Navier-Stokes equations numerically to predict fluid dynamics in various engineering applications.  The Navier-Stokes equations are  a set of partial differential equations that govern the flow of viscous fluids in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) .  The equations are based on Newton's laws of motion and the principle of mass conservation.   Key points about CFD basics: Governing Equations: The foundation of CFD lies in the fundamental equations of fluid dynamics, which describe how mass, momentum, and energy are conserved within a fluid flow.  Numerical Methods...
Read more

Iron Iron Carbide Diagram

-
Image
    Different Phases α-ferrite Existing at low temperatures and low carbon content, α-ferrite is a solid solution of carbon in BCC Fe. This phase is stable at room temperature. In the graph, it can be seen as a sliver on the left edge with Y-axis on the left side and A2 on the right. This phase is magnetic below 768°C. It has a maximum carbon content of 0.022 % and it will transform to γ-austenite at 912°C as shown in the graph. γ-austenite This phase is a solid solution of carbon in FCC Fe with a maximum solubility of 2.14% C. On further heating, it converts into BCC δ-ferrite at 1395°C. γ-austenite is unstable at temperatures below eutectic temperature (727°C) unless cooled rapidly. This phase is non-magnetic. δ-ferrite This phase has a similar structure as that of α-ferrite but exists only at high temperatures. The phase can be spotted at the top left corner in the graph. It has a melting point of 1538°C. Fe3C or cementite Cementite is a metastable phase of...
Read more