Polymer composites for aerospace

Composites may be defined as macroscopic combinations of two or more distinct materials having a recognizable interface between the two. Polymer composites are defined as reinforcement fibers supported by a polymer binder known as a matrix. In structural polymer composites, the fiber is stiffer and stronger than the continuous matrix phase. Almost all high strength/high stiffness materials fail because of the propagation of flaws. A fiber of such material is inherently stronger than the bulk form because the size of a flaw is limited by the small diameter of the fiber. Even if a flaw does produce failure in a fiber, it does not propagate to fail the entire assemblage, which would happen in a bulk material. Fiber advantages can be converted to practical applications when the fibers are embedded in a matrix that binds them together, transfers load to and between the fibers, and protects them from hazardous environments and handling. The high strengths and moduli can be tailored to the high load direction, with little material wasted on needless reinforcement