Related Resources: Design and Engineering General

Short Fiber Plastic Base Composites Engineering Design Handbook

Engineering and Design Materials

Short Fiber Plastic Base Composites Engineering Design Handbook
Ms. Joan B. Titus
Plastics Technical Evaluation Center (PLASTEC)
486 Pages

Premium Membership Required to view Document/Book 

Open: Short Fiber Plastic Base Composites Engineering Design Handbook

Preface

This handbook deals with a specific class of fiber reinforced plastics/composites. The fibrous composites, in general, constitute one of the major groups of nonmetallic structural materials. Their performance has been demonstrated effectively in a variety of military applications. Increased usage is anticipated as new weapon systems and other items of military equipment are introduced or redesigned. The composites cover a broad range of physical properties. They include the continuous fiber reinforced materials that have exceptionally high strengths and moduli of elasticity. The short discontinuous fiber reinforced composites, which comprise the subject matter of this handbook, are at a lower strength level. It is believed that this material group -which is easier to process and less costly -offers numerous opportunities for design simplification, innovations in design, and improvements in maintenance and producibility. It is the purpose of the handbook to acquaint Army personnel with the characteristics of these materials. Emphasis is placed on the close relationship between material properties and the associated processes for fabricating these materials.

TOC

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
Short Fiber Compounds Defined
Significance of Fabrication and Molding
Processes
General
Molding Short Fiber Compounds
Classification of Polymer Based Composites
Particulates.
Continuous Fiber Reinforced
Discontinuous Fiber Reinforced
Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics
Short Fiber Thermosets
Status of Short Fiber Thermosets

CHAPTER 2. THERMOSET MOLDING COMPOUNDS

Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC)
Fabrication of SMC
Chemically Thickened Resins
Polyester Resins
Composition and Classification
Curing Mechanisms
Fiber Glass Reinforcement
Fillers and Additives
SMC Formulations
Bulk Molding Compounds (BMC)
Fabric ;tion of BMC
BMC Formulations
Preform Molding
Directed Fiber Preforming
Plenum Chamber Preforming
Mat Preforming
Preform Molding Formulations
Chopped Roving Compounds
Miscellaneous Material Processes
References

CHAPTER.3. MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Introduction
Conditioning Prior to Test.
Test Temperature
Testing for Flammability
Properties of Short Fiber Compounds Based on Polyester Resins
Properties of SMC
Military Specification for SMC
Properties of BMC
Properties of Preform-Wet Lay-up Materials
Properties of Woven Fabrics With Polyester
Classification System for Short Fiber Polyester
Base Compounds
Properties of Short Fiber Compounds Based on Epoxy Resin Systems

CHAPTER4. STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS OF SHORT FIBER COMPOSITES
Quasi-Isotropic Laminate Analogy
Reinforcement Efficiency

CHAPTER 5. MOLDING SHORT FIBER THERMOSETS
Introduction
Presses for Compression Molding
Hydraulic Presses Types
Performance Criteria, Hydraulic Presses
Mechanical Presses
Transfer Molding Presses
Injection Molding Machines
Matched Die Molding
Press Requirements
Features in Mold Design
Material Factors in Design
Molding Parameters.
Summary of Molding Methods
Military and Federal Specifications