This article illustrates the polymer matrices used for composite materials. It describes the use of prepeg materials in manufacturing high-performance composites. The article discusses the various infusion processes for the development of fiber-reinforced composites, namely, resin transfer molding, vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, and resin film infusion. It explains the composite- and matrix-toughening methods for fiber-reinforced composites, such as dispersed-phase toughening and interlayer toughening. The article concludes with information on optical microscopy, which provides an insight into the micro- and macrostructure of fiber-reinforced composites.

Continuous fiber composite materials offer dramatic opportunities for producing lightweight laminates with tremendous performance capabilities. This article describes the kinematics of fabric deformation and explains the algorithms used in draping simulation. It discusses the basic components, such as laminate and ply, of continuous fiber composite. The article provides information on the core sample and ply analysis. It details producibility, flat-pattern evaluations, and laminate surface offset. The article discusses various interfaces, such as the structural analysis interface, the resin transfer molding interface, the fiber placement and tape-laying interface, and the laser projection interface.

Molding compounds are plastic materials in varying stages of pellets or granulation that consist of resin, filler, pigments, reinforcement, plasticizers, and other ingredients ready for use in a molding operation. This article describes the material components and physical properties of sheet molding compounds (SMC). The three types of resin paste mixing techniques, such as batch, batch/continuous, and continuous, for an SMC operation are reviewed. The article discusses the design features and functional operations of the two types of SMC machines, namely, continuous-belt and beltless machines. It explains the formulation and processing of bulk molding compounds and reviews molding methods for bulk molding compounds, including compression, transfer, and injection molding. The effects of the fiber type and length and the matrix type on thermoset bulk molding compounds are discussed. It describes the four injection molding processes of injection molding compounds such as feeding, transporting, injecting, and flowing.

This article presents the basic guidelines considered in designing a composite structure, and the basic definitions of terms that apply to composites. It describes the analysis of a composite laminate based on stress-strain relationships, stress-strain load relationships, general load displacement case, and general load case solution. Factors affecting the composite materials properties and allowables of fiber-reinforced polymers are reviewed. The article discusses the process considerations for mold design, such as master model, metal tooling, composite tooling, and tool care. It explains the resin selection in designing the composite for use in a particular application. The article illustrates the various methods that are used to process a composite component, namely, wet lay-up, autoclave, resin transfer molding, and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. It provides a discussion on electromagnetic interference shielding, electrostatic discharge protection, metal plating, fire resistance, and corrosion resistance on composite materials.

Resin transfer molding and structural reaction injection molding belong to a family, sometimes denoted as liquid composite molding. This article provides information on the characteristics and automotive and aerospace applications of liquid composite molding. It reviews techniques that use hard tooling and positive (superatmospheric) pressures to produce structures. The techniques include vacuum-assisted resin injection, vacuum infusion, resin-film infusion, and injection-compression molding. The article provides an overview of the materials that are commonly used together with some of processing characteristics that are important to processing speed and part quality. It concludes with a discussion on design guidelines for the liquid composite molding.

This article discusses bismaleimide (BMI) chemistry and the use of BMI in composites. An analysis of the applications illustrates how the advantages of BMIs have been exploited and perhaps suggests how these advantages might be extended to other applications. The article describes the mechanical properties of BMI composites. BMIs suitable for resin transfer molding processing are provided. The article concludes with information on the elevated-temperature applications of 5250-4 BMI system.

Vacuum infusion is a resin injection technique derived from resin transfer molding. This article discusses the characteristics of the technique and its applications. It presents the theory and background of the technique and provides an illustration of how parts are made. The article provides information on the equipment and material used for vacuum infusion. It describes the mechanical properties of components and summarizes the influence of production on the properties. The article concludes with a discussion on design guidelines.

This article describes key processing methods and related design, manufacturing, and application considerations for plastic parts. The methods include injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, rotational molding, compression molding/transfer molding, composites processing, and casting. The article describes principal features incorporated into the design of plastic parts. It concludes with a discussion on the materials selection methodology for plastics.

Resin transfer molding (RTM) and structural reaction injection molding (SRIM) are two similar processes that are well suited to the manufacture of large, complex, and high-performance structures. This article discusses the similarities and differences of RTM and SRIM processes and the unique design considerations with respect to the physical properties, geometry, surface quality, process economics, equipment, and tooling of a component that should be considered in choosing RTM or SRIM over other competing processes for fabricating reinforced components.