INTRODUCTION cOnpOsTTE MATERIALS {a] Definitions and Facts of Life Composite Material ~ A composite material is a materials system composed of a combination of two or more macroconstituents differing in form and or composition that are essentially insoluble in each other. A composite material is itself a structure. However they are often modeled as 2 homogeneous enn nu. A composite material {s macroscopically heterogeneous. However, each of its constituents ean be hosogeneous. The behavior and properties of a composite are determined by the behavior and properties of its constituents, the form and structural arrangement of its constituents, and the interaction between its constituents. (b] Why Do We Use Composites? Composite materials often exhibit: 1. The best qualities of each of its constituents. Often the constituent: properties can be cosbined in a complenentary manner 0 that the composite material is optimized. 2. Qualities neither constituent possesses alone. The coaposite’s Properties are sone sort of average of each of the individual constituent ’s properties. For example, man-made composites are often advantageous mechanically in ‘that they typically conbine the ductility, forgiveness, and fracture toughness of a polyseric matrix material with the load carrying Capability and Sigh stiffness of an Introduced fiber or particle. Structural composites often have superior strength-to-weight and/or stiffness-to-weight ratios and/or fatigue life when compared to classical netaliic structural materials. ®i i elo | me at =f == ‘TRON RENFORCED = ! Figure 1 - Motivation for Using Composite Materials: Design Curves for ‘Aluntnum and Boron-Epoxy I-Beans Used in Commercial Atrcraft.