Various fabrication methods employed in fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

Abstract Fiber-reinforced composites have an increasing popularity in various industries including aerospace, automotive, recreation, and construction. Various composite fabrication methods are used to produce fiber composites. The type of matrix (i.e., thermosetting thermoplastic, or elastomeric) generally determines the fabrication method. Other factors are the fiber type, reinforcement form, fiber volume fraction, part dimensions and complexity. The matrix material is in liquid form in the case of thermosetting matrix based techniques whereas thermoplastic-based methods rely on the melting of a thermoplastic polymer. Elastomeric matrices are made up of compounds of natural and synthetic rubber and other ingredients. Thermosetting based methods include basic ones such as hand lay-up, compression molding and vacuum infusion and more sophisticated methods like resin transfer molding (RTM), autoclave molding, filament winding and pultrusion. For thermoplastic composites, injection molding, and thermoforming are the most commonly used methods. Elastomeric composites are produced using various methods such as mill processing, internal mixing and so forth. This chapter outlines the various composite fabrication techniques with a special emphasis on the end-use. The future prospects in composite manufacturing are also presented.