Composite Materials Technology: Processes and Properties

Manufacturing technology and materials suitable for the mass production of composite materials are the focus of this book. Mass production here refers to a manufacturing time scale of minutes rather than hours. The work is divided into ten sections mostly centered on particular fabrication techniques. Among the processes/materials discussed are (a) compression molding; (b) injection molding - thermoplastic and thermoset materials are treated separately by different authors; (c) long fiber thermoplastic composite technology with particular emphasis on stamping; (d) reaction injection molding; (e) resin transfer molding; and (f) continuous fiber processing, i.e., pultration and filament winding. Sheet molding compounds are reviewed in detail as a separate effort to parallel the exposition and compression molding. All the process-directed sections provide an authoritative and thorough presentation of fundamental principles, equipment processing technology, current development activities, associated materials and applications. There is a final chapter on quality control techniques and non-destructive testing particularly as applied to automotive plastic components. This timely exposition is written by active participants and major contributors to their respective fields. Anyone working in these areas or interested in their rapid evolution will find this to be an invaluable source of information on the current status and future direction of these manufacturing methods and their associated materials and applications.