Development Of High Performance Hybrid Syntactic Foams

Composite materials are used as substitutions of metals/traditional materials in aerospace, automotive, civil, mechanical and other industries. The present book collects the current knowledge and recent developments in the characterization and application of composite materials. To this purpose the volume describes the outstanding properties of this class of advanced material which recommend it for various industrial applications.

Syntactic foams are polymer composites obtained by dispersing hollow spheres in a matrix. They have excellent properties such as low density, high specific strength, low moisture absorption, lower thermal coefficient of expansion, and in some case radar or sonar transparency for use in Stealth technology. One of their biggest advantages is the fact that they can be tailored to have the properties necessary for a specific product. Syntactic foams uses include: marine applications, aerospace, ground vehicles, and sports applications (snow skis and soccer balls). In fact, they can be used for anything that needs a high strength material. Update on Syntactic Foams will be of interest to all those who produce polymer products that need very high strength due to the adverse conditions that they are used in, as well as manufacturers of raw materials used in these products. This Update gives the reader a good insight into the properties, manufacture and uses of syntactic foams. It covers the basics of syntactic foams including the types of microballoons used, foam structure, methods of synthesis and the properties. It also covers syntactic foams based on different types of resin systems such as epoxy, phenolics, cyanate ester and so on. This Update also has information recent developments in the field such as fibre reinforcement, nanoclay reinforcement, functionally grading of foams, rubberisation, syntactic foam core sandwich composites and cement-based syntactic foams, as well as on the appplications of syntactic foams.

Handbook of Thermoset Plastics, Fourth Edition provides complete coverage of the chemical processes, manufacturing techniques and design properties of each polymer, along with its applications. This new edition has been expanded to include the latest developments in the field, with new chapters on radiation curing, biological adhesives, vitrimers, and 3D printing. This detailed handbook considers the practical implications of using thermoset plastics and the relationships between processing, properties and applications, as well as analyzing the strengths and weakness of different methods and applications. The aim of the book is to help the reader to make the right decision and take the correct action on the basis of informed analysis – avoiding the pitfalls the authors’ experience has uncovered. In industry, the book supports engineers, scientists, manufacturers and R&D professionals working with plastics. The information included will also be of interest to researchers and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer chemistry, adhesives and coatings. Offers a systematic approach, guiding the reader through chemistry, processing methods, properties and applications of thermosetting polymers Includes thorough updates that discuss current practice and the new developments on biopolymers, nanotechnology, 3D printing, radiation curing and biological adhesives Uses case studies to demonstrate how particular properties make different polymers suitable for different applications Covers end-use and safety considerations

Syntactic foams are particulate polymer matrix composite materials consisting of hollow microspheres dispersed in a matrix. The matrix used in syntactic foams can be polymer, metal, or ceramic. Polymer matrices, particularly the thermosetting polymers, have been the most widely accepted matrices in syntactic foams. From the processing and application point of view, thermosetting syntactic foams have many advantages compared to thermoplastic ones. This chapter deals with syntactic foams based on various thermosetting resins and the chemistry of the resin systems. The resin systems are mainly phenolic, epoxy, cyanate ester, siloxane, polybenzoxazine, bismaleimide, and their blends. Apart from a brief chemistry of the parent resin systems, their syntactic foams have been described in detail. The aspects discussed are their processing, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties, applications, and degradation. Their properties can be engineered by a choice of matrix, microcell structure and its concentration, reinforcement, toughners, etc. While the thermal and thermo-physical characteristics are dictated by resin, mechanical and fracture characteristics are decided by both components. While epoxy, cyanate ester, and other such compounds provide structural syntactic foams, phenolics and their new generation versions provide thermo-structural materials. Syntactic foam ablators have made possible interplanetary space missions. Novel engineering concepts like lightweight self-healing give scope for extended applications of these systems. The recent advances in these areas are also discussed. These special materials with high specific strength are slated to replace conventional structural and thermo-structural materials in related engineering applications ranging from domestic to aerospace and defense.

Production, new materials development, and mechanics are the central subjects of modern industry and advanced science. With a very broad reach across several different disciplines, selecting the most forward-thinking research to review can be a hefty task, especially for study in niche applications that receive little coverage. For those subjects, collecting the research available is of utmost importance. The Handbook of Research on Advancements in Manufacturing, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering is an essential reference source that examines emerging obstacles in these fields of engineering and the methods and tools used to find solutions. Featuring coverage of a broad range of topics including fabricating procedures, automated control, and material selection, this book is ideally designed for academics; tribology and materials researchers; mechanical, physics, and materials engineers; professionals in related industries; scientists; and students.

The purpose of MetFoam conference series is to provide a state-of-the-art review on lightweight porous metals and metallic foams and a forum for discussions and networking opportunities for scientists working in this field. Topics included in this volume include the following: • Fabrication by conventional and novel methods including additive manufacturing • Characterization • Properties of compressed and uncompressed foam • Design of porous metals, metallic foams, and lattice structures• Fluid, heat, and mass transfer • Porous biomaterials• Nanoporous metals• Industrial applications of porous metals and metallic foams

The low velocity impact response of plain autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and FRP/AAC sandwich panels has been investigated. The structural sandwich panels composed of a FRP/AAC combination have shown excellent characteristics in terms of high strength and high stiffness-to-weight ratios. In addition to having adequate flexural and shear properties, the behavior of FRP/AAC sandwich panels needs to be investigated when subjected to impact loading. During service, the structural members in the building structures are subjected to impact loading that varies from object-caused impact, blast due to explosions, to high velocity impact of debris during tornados, hurricanes, or storms. Low velocity impact (LVI) testing serves as a means to quantify the allowable impact energy that the structure is able to withstand and to assess the typical failure modes encountered during this type of loading. The objectives of this chapter are: to study the response of plain AAC and CFRP/AAC sandwich structures to low velocity impact and to assess the damage performance of the panels; to study the effect of FRP laminates on the impact response of CFRP/AAC panels; to study the effect of the processing method (hand layup versus VARTM) and panel stiffness on the impact response of the hybrid panels. Impact testing was conducted using an Instron drop-tower testing machine. Experimental results showed a significant influence of CFRPs laminates on the energy absorbed and peak load of the CFRP/AAC panels. Further, a theoretical analysis was conducted to predict the energy absorbed by the CFRP/AAC sandwich panel using the energy balance model, and the results found were in good accordance with the experimental ones.

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials has had a dramatic impact on civil engineering techniques over the past three decades. FRPs are an ideal material for structural applications where high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios are required. Developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for civil engineering outlines the latest developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and their applications in civil engineering. Part one outlines the general developments of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) use, reviewing recent advancements in the design and processing techniques of composite materials. Part two outlines particular types of fiber-reinforced polymers and covers their use in a wide range of civil engineering and structural applications, including their use in disaster-resistant buildings, strengthening steel structures and bridge superstructures. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for civil engineering is an essential text for researchers and engineers in the field of civil engineering and industries such as bridge and building construction. Outlines the latest developments in fiber-reinforced polymer composites and their applications in civil engineering Reviews recent advancements in the design and processing techniques of composite materials Covers the use of particular types of fiber-reinforced polymers in a wide range of civil engineering and structural applications