ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS

This volume will introduce you to the class of materials known as Advanced Composite Materials. These materials play a critical role in our industrialized world, fulfilling unique material requirements for many engineering applications. Common examples include fiberglass boats, windmill blades and major components on military and civilian aircraft. This important class of materials also plays an important role in the fabrication of computers, cabling, structural beams, bullet-proof armor, spacecraft and satellites, automobiles, shipping containers, and pressure vessels. While there are many books available on Advanced Composite Materials that are intended for the engineering specialist, the literature is generally lacking in volumes that provide an effective introductory level overview of the subject and a progressive approach to teaching the subject. The intent of this book is to fill that gap for a College level program. This volume provides the reader and student with a comprehensive understanding of Advanced Composite Materials and an introduction to designing components and structures with this unique class of materials.