Composites History and Introduction
This ancient composite material, made mostly from mud and straw, is a robust structural material used for centuries.
What is Adobe
This work horse fiber was developed in the 1930s with a process that forces molten silica through a tiny orifice the drawing it on to a reel.
What is "fiberglass"
A is short for my name but add B and Im still called the same
What is "Resin"
Because of inherent resiliency, foam cores can sustain damage and still retain up to this much of it's regular strength.
What is "80%"
These two conditions can be used to strengthen a composite as it cures.
What are "Heat and Pressure"
This 16 section pamphlet should be read and understood before handling resins, curing agents, adhesives and release agents.
What is the "SDS"
Although the term "fiber Reinforced Plastics" is a perfectly discriptive name for these materials, industry professionals prefer this less-polymeric name be used as the default handle
What is "Advanced Composites"
This strongman fiber developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont has found many industrial applications since it's invention in 1965.
What is "Aramid/Kevlar"
This common polymer can be heated and reshaped many times without losing any structural properties
What is "Thermoplastic"
This type of structure, due to adding a light weight core, has superior strength and stiffness without adding much weight.
What is a "Sandwich Structure"
In this process, dry fiber is placed on the mold then bagged. When under vacuum, the resin is drawn through the ply schedule toward the low pressure source.
What is "Resin Infusion
Acetone, MEK, Isopropyl Alcohol are all volatile compounds used for this purpose.
What are "Solvents"
Replacing aluminum airframe components with composite airframe components saves 20-40% of this important consideration when designing aircraft.
What is "Weight"
Known for it's exceptional stiffness and tensile strength, this popular fiber type is loved just as much for it's dark, hypnotic beauty.
What is "Carbon Fiber"
Once A&B are mixed, the technician must consider this time period where the resin remains workable
What is "Pot Life"
This type of core can be made from Kevlar, fiberglass, or aluminum.
What is "Honeycomb" core
Because all composites have high resistance to electric current, composite aircraft must be enhanced with this in case of lightning strike.
What is "Lightning Strike Protection" or LSP.
Use these to clean epoxy resins that get on your skin.
What are "Soap and Water"
When designing aluminum components to interface with carbon composite material, be sure to include a dielectric to thwart the progression of this reaction
What is "Galvanic Corrosion"
These inexpensive and heavy-duty fabrics have many uses and are great for bulking and adding weight, like for marine use.
What is fiberglass "mat"
This process involves working and stippling the resin into the fabric by hand with brushes and squeegees
What is a wet layup
This type of honeycomb core has elongated, rectangular cells and is used on simple curved surfaces
What is "Overexpanded" core
Composite tooling must be compatible with the composite material for this temperature driven property.
What is "CTE"
All airborne particulate smaller than 3.5 microns retain this OSHA clasification.
What is "Respirable"
Composites are materials made from these two basic components.
What are "Matrix and Reinforcements"
These slinky, loose fabric types are great for draping over complex and curvy geometry.
What are "Satin Weaves"
Prepregs are required to be stored in this condition in order to extend their shelf-life.
What is "Frozen"
This type of honeycomb core notable from it's "hat-shaped" cells can conform to complex curves.
What is "Flexi Core"
This object is used to form the inside contours of a mold.
What is a "Plug"
Working with resins and curing agents could lead to this effect happening to contact lenses.
What is "Crazing"