Yiu-Wing Mai - Böcker

The study and application of composite materials are a truly interdisciplinary endeavour that has been enriched by contributions from chemistry, physics, materials science, mechanics and manufacturing engineering. The understanding of the interface (or interphase) in composites is the central point of this interdisciplinary effort. From the early development of composite materials of various nature, the optimization of the interface has been of major importance. While there are many reference books available on composite materials, few of them deal specifically with the science and mechanics of the interface of fiber reinforced composites. Further, many recent advances devoted solely to research in composite interfaces have been scattered in a variety of published literature and have yet to be assembled in a readily accessible form. To this end this book is an attempt to bring together recent developments in the field, both from the materials science and mechanics perspective, in a single convenient volume.

The central theme of the book is tailoring the interface properties to optimise the mechanical peformance and structural integrity of composites with enhanced strength/stiffness and fracture toughness (or specific fracture resistance). It deals mainly with interfaces in advanced composites made from high performance fibers, such as glass, carbon, aramid, ultra high modulus polyethylene and some inorganic (e.g. B/W, A12O3, SiC) fibers, and matrix materials encompassing polymers, metals/alloys and ceramics. The book is intended to provide a comprehensive treatment of composite interfaces in such a way that it should be of interest to materials scientists, technologists and practising engineers, as well as graduate students and their supervisors in advanced composites. We hope that this book will also serve as a valuable source of reference to all those involved in the design and research of composite interfaces.

The book contains eight chapters of discussions on microstructure-property relationships with underlying fundamental mechanics principles. In Chapter 1, an introduction is given to the nature and definition of interfaces in fiber reinforced composites. Chapter 2 is devoted to the mechanisms of adhesion which are specific to each fiber-matrix system, and the physio-chemical characterization of the interface with regard to the origin of adhesion. The experimental techniques that have been developed to assess the fiber-matrix interface bond quality on a microscopic scale are presented in Chapter 3, along with the techniques of measuring interlaminar/intralaminar strengths and fracture toughness using bulk composite laminates. The applicability and limitations associated with loading geometry and interpretation of test data are compared. Chapter 4 presents comprehensive theoretical analyses based on shear-lag models of the single fiber composite tests, with particular interest being placed on the interface debond process and the nature of the fiber-matrix interfacial bonding. Chapter 5 is devoted to reviewing current techniques of fiber surface treatments which have been devised to improve the bond strength and the fiber-matrix compatibility/stability during the manufacturing processes of composites. The micro-failure mechanisms and their associated theories of fracture toughness of composites are discussed in Chapter 6. The roles of the interface and its effects on the mechanical performance of fiber composites are addressed from several viewpoints. Recent research efforts to augment the transverse and interlaminar fracture toughness by means of controlled interfaces are presented in Chapters 7 and 8.

Biological materials are bottom-up designed systems formed from billions of years of natural evolution. In the long course of Darwinian competition for survival, nature has evolved a huge variety of hierarchical and multifunctional systems from nucleic acids, proteins, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, animal communities to ecological s- tems. Multilevel hierarchy a rule of nature. The complexities of biology provide an opportunity to study the basic principles of hierarchical and multifunctional s- tems design, a subject of potential interest not only to biomedical and life sciences, but also to nanosciences and nanotechnology. Systematic studies of how hierarchical structures in biology are related to their functions and properties can lead to better understanding of the effects of aging, diseases and drugs on tissues and organs, and may help developing a scienti?c basis for tissue engineering to improve the standard of living. At the same time, such studies may also provide guidance on the dev- opment of novel nanostructured hierarchical materials via a bottom-up approach, i. e. by tailor-designing materials from atomic scale and up. Currently we barely have any theoretical basis on how to design a hierarchical material to achieve a part- ular set of macroscopic properties. The new effort aiming to understand the re- tionships between hierarchical structures in biology and their mechanical as well as other functions and properties may provide challenging and rewarding opportunities for mechanics in the 21st century.

This highlights ongoing research efforts on different aspectsof polymer nanocomposites and explores their potentials to exhibitmulti-functional properties. Inthis context, it addresses both fundamental and advanced concepts, whiledelineating the parameters and mechanisms responsible for these potentials. Aspects considered includeembrittlement/toughness; wear/scratchbehaviour; thermalstability and flame retardancy;barrier, electrical and thermal conductivity; andoptical and magnetic properties. Further, the book was writtenas a coherent unit rather than a collection of chapters on differenttopics. As such, theresults, analyses and discussions presented herein provide a guide for thedevelopment of a new class of multi-functional nanocomposites. Offering aninvaluable resource for materials researchers and postgraduate students in thepolymer composites field, theywill also greatly benefit materials

This highlights ongoing research efforts on different aspectsof polymer nanocomposites and explores their potentials to exhibitmulti-functional properties. Offering aninvaluable resource for materials researchers and postgraduate students in thepolymer composites field, theywill also greatly benefit materials

Fracture Mechanics of Electromagnetic Materials provides a comprehensive overview of fracture mechanics of conservative and dissipative materials, as well as a general formulation of nonlinear field theory of fracture mechanics and a rigorous treatment of dynamic crack problems involving coupled magnetic, electric, thermal and mechanical field quantities.Thorough emphasis is placed on the physical interpretation of fundamental concepts, development of theoretical models and exploration of their applications to fracture characterization in the presence of magneto-electro-thermo-mechanical coupling and dissipative effects. Mechanical, aeronautical, civil, biomedical, electrical and electronic engineers interested in application of the principles of fracture mechanics to design analysis and durability evaluation of smart structures and devices will find this book an invaluable resource.

This book highlights the latest, cutting-edge advances in implantable biomaterials. It brings together a class of advanced biomaterials in two highly active research areas, namely implants and tissue scaffolds, to underline their respective functional requirements for further development. It is unique in providing a full range of methodological procedures, including materials syntheses, characterisation, cellular tests and mathematical modelling. Covering metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials commonly used in biological applications and clinical therapeutics, it is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to further their understanding of the latest developments in implantable biomaterials. Focusing on biomedical applications in implants and scaffolds, it provides methodological guides to this rapidly growing field.Qing Li and Yiu-Wing Mai are both professors at the University of Sydney, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.

This book highlights the latest, cutting-edge advances in implantable biomaterials. It brings together a class of advanced biomaterials in two highly active research areas, namely implants and tissue scaffolds, to underline their respective functional requirements for further development. It is unique in providing a full range of methodological procedures, including materials syntheses, characterisation, cellular tests and mathematical modelling. Covering metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials commonly used in biological applications and clinical therapeutics, it is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to further their understanding of the latest developments in implantable biomaterials. Focusing on biomedical applications in implants and scaffolds, it provides methodological guides to this rapidly growing field.Qing Li and Yiu-Wing Mai are both professors at the University of Sydney, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.

Biological materials are bottom-up designed systems formed from billions of years of natural evolution. In the long course of Darwinian competition for survival, nature has evolved a huge variety of hierarchical and multifunctional systems from nucleic acids, proteins, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, animal communities to ecological s- tems. Multilevel hierarchy a rule of nature. The complexities of biology provide an opportunity to study the basic principles of hierarchical and multifunctional s- tems design, a subject of potential interest not only to biomedical and life sciences, but also to nanosciences and nanotechnology. Systematic studies of how hierarchical structures in biology are related to their functions and properties can lead to better understanding of the effects of aging, diseases and drugs on tissues and organs, and may help developing a scienti?c basis for tissue engineering to improve the standard of living. At the same time, such studies may also provide guidance on the dev- opment of novel nanostructured hierarchical materials via a bottom-up approach, i. e. by tailor-designing materials from atomic scale and up. Currently we barely have any theoretical basis on how to design a hierarchical material to achieve a part- ular set of macroscopic properties. The new effort aiming to understand the re- tionships between hierarchical structures in biology and their mechanical as well as other functions and properties may provide challenging and rewarding opportunities for mechanics in the 21st century.