Composite Materials
Contents
- What Is Composite?
- Composite Materials
- References & Further Reading
What is a Composite?
Composite materials are a type of material created by combining different substances to achieve superior properties compared to individual components. Typically, composite materials consist of a matrix (material) and reinforcement (strengthener) components. While the matrix is usually a polymeric substance, reinforcement components typically include fibers, soluble particles, glass fibers, or carbon fibers.
Composite materials offer various advantages. Firstly, these materials are often composed of fiber-reinforced polymer matrices, making them inherently stronger than other materials. Additionally, reinforcement components like carbon fibers are lightweight, reducing the total weight of rockets and enhancing their performance. Composite materials also exhibit remarkable flexibility, easily conforming to desired shapes and sizes, which is advantageous in design. Lastly, composite materials are resistant to weather conditions and impacts, ensuring the longevity of rockets. These properties contribute to the increased preference and utilization of composite materials in model rocketry.
Their lightweight and durability enable rockets to reach higher altitudes and faster speeds, enhancing overall performance and extending their range. Moreover, rocket wings are typically made from carbon fiber or fiberglass, improving aerodynamic performance and flight stability. In conclusion, the use of composite materials in model rockets provides a more effective and stable flight experience.
Advantages of Composite Materials:
Composite materials offer high strength as one of their key advantages. Structures typically made from fiber-reinforced polymer matrices exhibit greater durability compared to other materials. Their lightweight nature is also noteworthy; especially reinforcement components like carbon fiber are extremely lightweight, reducing overall rocket weight and enhancing performance. Their flexibility is another significant advantage; composite materials easily adapt to desired shapes and sizes, offering various design options. Additionally, their resilience to weather conditions and impacts ensures prolonged lifespan, making composite materials suitable for use in sensitive and challenging environments such as space exploration.
Composite Materials
Fiberglass
- Fiberglass cloth is obtained by converting glass into nano-sized threads and then weaving it into fabric form.
- It belongs to the class of composite materials.
- The fiberglass cloth, when impregnated with epoxy resin, can be molded into desired shapes.
- It is known for its strength and lightweight properties.
- It allows signals to pass through.
- However, it is not heat-resistant due to the epoxy resin content, making it susceptible to burning.
- Special care and precise manufacturing are required when using epoxy resin in production to achieve specific weight and uniformity.
Carbon Fiber
- Carbon fiber fabrics are obtained by converting nano-sized carbon threads into fabric form.
- It belongs to the class of composite materials.
- It is lightweight and has high strength.
- Production can be tailored to desired shapes under appropriate conditions.
- It results in a glossy surface after production.
- It is not signal-permeable. (Due to the carbon content, incoming signals are reflected, and if signals are emitted from within, it forms a Faraday cage preventing the signal from escaping.)
- It is not heat-resistant and can burn due to the epoxy resin content. Special care and precise manufacturing are required when using epoxy resin in production to achieve specific weight and uniformity.
References & Further Reading
- DUTlab, DUTlab VENÜS Project, 2021
- TÜBİTAK, Bilim ve Teknik, November 2009