Advanced composite materials (engineering)

In <a href="/facts/Materials_science/N5HrXRYW">materials science</a>, advanced composite materials (ACMs) are <a href="/facts/Materials/Rmt5HySL">materials</a> that are generally characterized by unusually high strength <a href="/facts/Fibres/ttkxAFBu">fibres</a> with unusually high <a href="/facts/Stiffness/xlabLkfT">stiffness</a>, or <a href="/facts/Modulus_of_elasticity/Et73KjbT">modulus of elasticity</a> characteristics, compared to other materials, while bound together by weaker <a href="/facts/Matrix_(composite)/1lnIafm4">matrices</a>. These are termed "advanced composite materials" in comparison to the <a href="/facts/Composite_material/UBysQldh">composite materials</a> commonly in use such as <a href="/facts/Reinforced_concrete/aUTUKAQF">reinforced concrete</a>, or even <a href="/facts/Concrete/K6whGVNx">concrete</a> itself. The <a href="/facts/Composite_laminates/eVLFDseK">high strength fibers</a> are also low <a href="/facts/Density/92p6hh9I">density</a> while occupying a large fraction of the <a href="/facts/Volume/aeAXCBUd">volume</a>.
Advanced composites exhibit desirable <a href="/facts/Physical_properties/ujcMUceW">physical</a> and <a href="/facts/Chemical_properties/uMVxKspS">chemical properties</a> that include light weight coupled with high stiffness (<a href="/facts/Elasticity_(physics)/wcJoIFg1">elasticity</a>), and strength along the direction of the reinforcing fiber, dimensional stability, temperature and chemical resistance, <a href="/facts/Flexible_response/Gl2xvHMz">flex performance</a>, and relatively easy processing. Advanced composites are replacing metal components in many uses, particularly in the <a href="/facts/Aerospace_industry/fdGwdY85">aerospace industry</a>.
Composites are classified according to their <a href="/facts/States_of_matter/ojlIA1UF">matrix phase</a>. These classifications are <a href="/facts/Polymer_matrix_composite/bH522qbe">polymer matrix composites (PMCs)</a>, <a href="/facts/Ceramic_Matrix_Composite/zvty2Svr">ceramic matrix composites</a> (CMCs), and <a href="/facts/Metal_matrix_composite/cWKqblzk">metal matrix composites</a> (MMCs). Also, materials within these categories are often called "advanced" if they combine the properties of high (axial, <a href="/facts/Longitude/HsC61ML9">longitudinal</a>) strength values and high (<a href="/facts/Geometry/wTQf5ffQ">axial</a>, longitudinal) stiffness values, with low weight, corrosion resistance, and in some cases special <a href="/facts/Electrical/hNC8D65W">electrical</a> properties.
Advanced composite materials have broad, proven applications, in the <a href="/facts/Aircraft/EhC4mBep">aircraft</a>, aerospace, and <a href="/facts/Sports_equipment/FqBaqLdn">sports equipment</a> sectors. Even more specifically ACMs are very attractive for aircraft and aerospace structural parts. ACMs have been developing for NASA's <a href="/facts/Advanced_Space_Transportation_Program/DsqaqF1v">Advanced Space Transportation Program</a>, armor protection for <a href="/facts/Army_aviation/LDYU8sws">Army aviation</a> and the <a href="/facts/Federal_Aviation_Administration/PYsXt3YT">Federal Aviation Administration</a> of the USA, and high-temperature shafting for the <a href="/facts/Comanche_helicopter/VuH4fRBo">Comanche helicopter</a>. Additionally, ACMs have a decades long history in military and government <a href="/facts/Aerospace_industry/fdGwdY85">aerospace industries</a>. However, much of the technology is new and not presented formally in secondary or <a href="/facts/Undergraduate_education/GVvPMLFN">undergraduate education</a>, and the technology of advanced composites manufacture is continually evolving.

Advanced composite materials (engineering) open-in-new

Advanced composite materials (engineering)