The Rise of Composite Materials

More and more products are being constructed with composite materials every day. The reason more manufacturers are turning to composites for their products is because composite material is very durable and, at the same time, light weight. Composites are being used so frequently that JEC Composites holds a very popular international composites show annually. The show is attended by people who are interested in composites from all over the world! The JEC Composite show enables companies like ASC Process Systems to show off their newest composite bonding autoclave and any other specialized equipment they have designed to create composite material.

Not only is composite equipment showcased, but brilliant advancements in composite materials are unveiled. One of the great innovations showcased at the 2011 JEC Composites Show was the Wind Explorer, a pilot vehicle with 2 seats. The car is an electromobile and its body is composed of carbon fiber composite, weighing about 440 pounds. The Wind Pilot has a range of 248.5 miles per battery charge. It was put to the test by being driven across Australia relying mostly on wind energy. The battery is charged by a mobile wind turbine and electricity is only used as a last resort. Lightweight innovations like this one are becoming more popular as we keep looking for alternate energy sources.

Composites are a man-made material composed of at least two chemically distinct components. One of the components is as material that serves as a matrix, by holding everything together. The other component serves as a reinforcement, in the form of fibers embedded in the matrix. The material that makes up the matrix can be ceramic, metal, or polymer. The reinforcing component can be materials such as; carbon fiber, glass fiber, boron fiber, or other mixtures. The only way to produce a composite is by combing two or more of these materials, not by any of the components acting alone. Fiber-reinforced composites can be stronger than steel and very light.

Composites need to be cured in order for the matrix to set. Autoclaves are like gigantic pressure cookers and are the perfect tool for processing laminated composites. Autoclaves have the ability to process extremely large parts or a large work load composed of a number of small parts. While under ventilation, heat and pressure can be adjusted to optimize the fiber/matrix ratio in composite parts, providing high strength bonds. The autoclave applies an even heat and pressure no matter what the shape of the workload is.

Composites are gaining importance in structural components, especially in lightweight automotive design. Race cars and racing bikes are being made of composite material to increase performance. Composite materials are also used in aerospace components like tails, wings, and fuselages. The new Boeing 787 structure is composed largely of composites. Composite material makes up boat propellers and scull hulls. More commonly, bicycle frames, fishing rods, and baseball bats are all made from this material. The most advanced examples are performed routinely on spacecraft in demanding environments. Composite materials are also becoming more common in the realm of orthopedic surgery. There is no limit to where this material will take us, as it has become a very important part of the things we use and depend on.

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