Multifunctional composites include all composites which provide more than one property, or functionality. Although traditional polymer matrix composites have many useful properties including stiffness, strength, and durability, these often involve tradeoffs such as poor acoustic damping and low electrical conductivity. By designing multifunctional composites, new and enhanced functionalities can complement the typical high-stiffness and high-strength densities of composites. Furthermore, multifunctional composites can feature entirely original functionalities, such as self-healing and microvascular transport, which do not exist in classical composites.
Among the shortcomings of traditional composites are lower conductivity and higher contact resistance than aluminum. This complicates efforts to provide aircraft with shielding, grounding, and protection from lighting strikes. Laminated composites are also susceptible to damage when subjected to low velocity impact, resulting in reduced compression-after-impact (CAI) strength.
In applications such as aircraft, rotorcraft, windmills, and missiles, erosion by rain and sand roughens surfaces of classical composites, reducing aerodynamic performance and optical and radiation transmission. In addition, traditional composites' high stiffness-to-weight ratio facilitates the propagation of acoustic and mechanical vibration, leading to passenger discomfort and even mechanical damage.
Innovative materials that can mitigate these shortcomings are thoroughly described in this book—from design to application.
Learn how self-healing composites can remedy many types of damage, including intralaminar cracking, delaminations, erosion, and damage to anti-corrosion coatings. Read about composites endowed with microvascular transport, which can deliver healing agents, coolants, or refrigerant fluids throughout the material.
Find out about developments in nanotechnology resulting in lower gas permeability, improving storage tanks, food packaging, fire resistance, and thermal protection systems. Furthermore, discover composites with innovative excitation-response capabilities that are not found in nature.
The book encompasses 12 chapters, containing 1130 citations, 167 figures, and 36 tables.
