Broughton, W R (2001) Thick composites. NPL Report. CMMT(A)263

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Abstract

The complex requirements and physical magnitude of many engineering structures for the use in transportation (road, sea and air), bridges, buildings, electrical, nuclear, chemical plant and off-shore applications requires versatile materials that can be tailored to meet demanding service conditions. Composite materials offer the user/designer the flexibility and the range of properties (i.e. mechanical, thermal and electrical) to meet many of these requirements. These materials have tended to be used for aerospace and marine applications involving thin membrane structures, but in recent years their use in large thick structures, often complex in shape, has expanded. The wide range of processing routes, fibre types and formats (two- and three-dimensional architecture), and resin matrices provides the means of producing thick complex engineering structures suitable for use in safety critical applications and hostile environments, such as infrastructures for bridges and off-shore platforms.
This report reviews key issues relating to the design, manufacture and utilisation of thick composites, highlighting issues that need to be resolved or better understood in order for these materials to fulfil their market potential. These issues include processing, testing (including standardisation), design and analysis, non-destructive evaluation, environmental durability, impact and fire resistance. The report describes a variety of low-and high-cost applications and the potential for expansion in these areas.

Item Type:	Report/Guide (NPL Report)
NPL Report No.:	CMMT(A)263
Subjects:	Advanced Materials Advanced Materials > Composites
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2018 13:17
URI:	http://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/2017

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