| WWW Links to Composite Materials |
Look at this page to see a large line of BASF plastics, composites and materials used in composites. Highlighting one of the products under categories such as Polyolefins, Styrene, Thermoplastics or Polyurethane, will give you a more detailed description of the product. Information includes features of the product, possible and actual uses of the product and engineering properties needed for design purposes. This is a very good page showing a wide range of plastics and composite usage.
Summary by P. Bond, Spring 1998.
British Petroleum Thermoformed Composites
Look at this page for information on BP's line of resins and their usage. Information on this page includes product names, grades and common uses. Applications include thermoformed sheets, chemical resistant bottles and flexible films. Product usage is largely in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Summary by P. Bond, Spring 1998.
Look at this page to see pultrusion system machinery. This page shows the Model 53 CNC Machining Center at Bedford Reinforced Plastics. This system is used in making several of the pultrusion shapes offered by the company as well as custom designs to meet your needs.
Summary by P. Bond, Spring 1998.
The Filled and Reinforced Plastics Division of the Ferro Corporation puts forth a very informative site. Engineering data as well as Material Safety Data Sheets are available, on line, for most of their polyolefin and resin products.
Summary by H. Swain, Spring 1998.
Fiberite produces all manner of composite ingredients. Their web site, in addition to providing corporate information, provides an overview of the roles different elements play in forming an advanced composite material.
Summary by H. Swain, Spring 1998.
Fiberset Inc. provides custom fabrication and prototyping services using fiberglass, Kevlar, or carbon fiber. Their website showcases some of their creations and provides contact information. Their excellent online glossary is of particular interest to those looking for terms used in composites work. Also in their shop tools section is a sliderule application written in java, with sourcecode!
Summary by H. Swain, Spring 1998.
Polymer Matrix Composite Filament Winding
This page contains detailed information and pictures on the filament winding process for manufacturing polymer matrix composites. There is a full explanation of how filament winding is performed, the advantages of filament winding, and improvements made to the process to overcome limitations. The same company also has other valuable information on polymer matrix composites.
Summary by C. D. Hughes, Spring 1998.
Composites for Defense, Commercial, and Recreational Industries
Advanced Composites provides a great list of items that are manufactured from composite materials using the filament winding process. The structures are categorized by industry: defense, commercial, recreation.
Summary by C. D. Hughes, Spring 1998.
Many Applications of Composites
Advanced Technology and Research found many ways to use composites. They created the monorail car bodies for Disney World, all the components for an all-composite aircraft, and used resin transfer molding to make a GE turbine blade just to name a few.
Summary by C. D. Hughes, Spring 1998.
This page of Composiflex's main web site gives an interesting view of one application of composites in industry. The page shows how, through the use of various composites, lightweight and functional bullet proof vests, shields, windows, and other armor can be obtained to protect the lives of law enforcement officers as well as bank tellers. An interesting page showing the many applications of composites without overwhelming technological terminology.
Summary by C. Toth, Spring 1998.
Composite solutions main page uses frames, so that going "back" to a previous page is never a problem. The specific part of this web site that is so interesting, however, requires two steps to access. Start through the Composite FAQ's listing and then the Stiffness vs Fiber Orientation. Unfortunately, no direct link to this portion of the page is available, however, with only two clicks, an interesting example of stiffness vs fiber orientation is available,with the user able to vary certain aspects of the design.
Summary by C. Toth, Spring 1998.
This page of creative pultrusions does not give in-depth analysis or complicated design features of their product, yet it demonstrates many of the valuable applications composites inherently possess. By utilizing a fiber reinforced composite in a situation were previously dominated by concrete, the page shows the versatility of composites in combating corrosion problems in areas other than the typical mechanical engineering fields, leading to the future possible uses of composites.
Summary by C. Toth, Spring 1998.
Verton, a long fiber reinforced thermoplastics, enhances mechanical properties compared to short fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Verton uses nylon 6/6 as the matrix and glass fiber as the reinforcer. Its strength, stiffness, and impact resistance, replaces metals from automotive jacks, boat propellers, to bicycle components and pneumatic tool.
Summary by I. S. Lam, Spring 1998.
Alumina-silica fiber papers, by Lytherm, are thermal barrier materials for high temperature applications. It is used in heat treating, molten metal industries, and as gaskets in aerospace, nuclear, glass and electronic industries. Its advantages include asbestos free, high strength, purity, and temperature, corrosion resistance, easy die-cutting, wrapping and forming
Summary by I. S. Lam, Spring 1998.
Graphites, a refractory, lightweight, and corrosion resistant substance, are used as dies for continuous casting, rocket nozzles, and heat exchangers. Its drawbacks in wear and oxidation resistance are solved by coatings of Titanium Carbide (TiC). TiC has excellent wear, oxidation, and corrosion resistance.
Summary by I. S. Lam, Spring 1998.
Catalog of Products at M. C. Gill Corporation
This page gives an extended list of the products of the M.C. Gill Corporation. The listing includes sheets and mats made of polymer composites, such as honeycombed structural panels and polyester/fiber mats for electrical insulation.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
This page gives detailed information on the ExStatic hose, a composite hose made specifically to prevent static electricity buildup. The hose is made by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Also interesting is the Innovations page, which contains some good information on latest developments.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
This page at the Polymer Composites page contains diagrams and charts of the various materials and processes relating to Celstran, a long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material. For a good, in-depth comparison of long-fiber composites vs short-fiber composites, be sure to visit the rest of this company's pages.Composite Pressure Vessels for Natural Gas Powered Vehicles
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
This page demonstrates the use of composite wrapped cylinders for use as fuel tanks in Natural-Gas powered vehicles. The company producing this line of fuel tanks, SCI - Structural Composites Industries, also manufactures composite wrapped cylinders for many other uses. Make sure to see their Product Line page for colorful photographs of many other composite end products.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Rebar
This page gives the mechanical properties of a glass/polymer composite rebar that is used as a substitute for ferrous rebar. The composite rebar has comparable mechanical properties to metal rebar, but has significantly improved corrosian resistance and increased mechanical bonding to concrete. The rebar is manufactured by Hughes Brothers, a manufacturer of various transportation, utility, and structural components.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Characteristics of Fiberite Prepreg Materials
This site contains characteristics and properties of prepreg materials made by Fiberite, specifically a prepreg unidirectional tape. This page is more of an advertisement for this material than anything else, though. The rest of Fiberite's page is worth a look, if only for the information on industries that use Fiberite products and the multitudes of colorful, high-res images.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Triaxial Braiding Process to Manufacture Snow Skis
This page is a step-by-step, illustrated description of the manufature process for K2 snow skis. The skis are made of a wood core covered with glass- and carbon-fiber epoxies. This site is an excellent example of the use of composite materials in an industry that "everyday" people can relate to.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Helium Tanks for the A2100 Satellite
This page describes the composite helium tanks used in the A2100 communications satellite. The tanks are manufactured from a titanium liner covered with a graphite-epoxy composite overwrap. By using composites, the satellite enjoys a weight savings of nearly 50 pounds per tank. The satellite is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a huge developer and manufacturer of high-tech products and services.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Cycle-Write - Composite Wood Substitute for Pencils
Cycle-Write is a recycled, composite wood replacement for use in pencils. It has comparable mechanical properties to wood, but eliminates the undesirable properties found in natural wood, such as knots, moisture, etc. Cycle-Write is made by Lydall Inc., a manufacturer of a variety of high-tech specialty materials for use in applications such as filtration, insulation, and material handling.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Continuous Fiber-Aluminum Matrix Composites
This page is devoted to 3M's aluminum-matrix composites. It includes several high-quality color pictures and a detailed explanation of the composite. The following page gives mechanical properties of the aluminum-matrix composite. Also available is a similar page for Titanium Matrix Composites.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
This page shows three specific instances of composite parts used in architecture and building construction. Especially interesting is the fact that the composites were specially designed to simulate "natural" components - wooden logs and slate-rock panels. These parts were manufactured and implemented by North End Composites, a custom manufacturer of composite parts and molds for the marine, transportation, architectural, and industrial technologies. Be sure to also look at the other interesting facets of this company.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Tubular Composite Bicycle Frames
This interesting page displays several bicycle frames produced from advanced thermoplastic composites. This is another great example of the use of high-tech composites for an end-user consumer. The bicycle frames are made by NYTEX Composites Co., Ltd., a Taiwan-based company specializing in thermoplastic materials for use in various applications, ranging from sporting goods to computers to automotive parts. Check
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Illustrated Guide to Composite Fabrication (requires Shockwave Plug-In)
This EXCELLENT site has detailed, illustrated guides to the various manufacture processes for many types of composite parts. It requires that you have the Shockwave plug-in, but it's well worth the effort of installing that plug-in. The page is created by Owens-Corning, a manufacturer and supplier of glass fiber composites and insulation. Be sure to check out the rest of this well-done page when you're finished with the fabrication page.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Illustrated Explanation of Pultrusion Process
This page is an illustrated guide to the steps of the pultrusion process. It includes six color photographs and detailed explanations of each step. The page is maintained by Omega Pultrusions, a manufacturer of custom pultruded parts for a variety of applications, such as transportation, electrical, home building, and construction.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Testing for Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
This page details the methods used testing for a material's coefficient of thermal expansion, as well as an example of the expected results. The page is created and maintained by PMIC - Precision Instruments and Measurements Corporation, an advanced materials testing facility based in Oregon, specializing in independent testing and measurement for materials used in the aerospace and space satellite industries.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Torayka is a carbon-fiber composite used in everything from medical equipment to industrial machinery to computer components. The composite is produced by Toray Industries, Inc., a diverse company based in Japan. Make sure to look at the Toray company's many other products; they manufacture a wide range of products, including some other composites.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Vision Composites manufactures composite parts for use in many high-tech applications, such as satellites and antenna systems. The company also offers classes in composites manufacturing!
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.
Epoxy Prepregs that require no Refrigeration
The Thiokol TCR prepreg material can be stored at ambient temperatures for up to one year without degradation. The prepregs still retain their customizability in the areas of variable tack levels, resin flow during cure, etc. The material is made by Thiokol, a manufacturer of both composite materials and solid rocket motors.
Summary by N.V. Carter, Spring 1998.