Manufacturing of Composites – An Overview

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the manufacturing of composites. The focus is more on long fiber polymer matrix composites. From the integral point of view, there are three levels for the activities in composites manufacturing: the technical level, the scientific level, and the engineering level. Ever since the beginning, the development of composites manufacturing has relied mainly on the technician or shop level. People acquire on composites manufacturing through the apprentice practice where real experience can be learned. This is practical and provides confidence to the participants. However, it is a slow process. Another level is the scientific level. Usually the problem is idealized and data are sometime assumed. This gives understanding of specific aspects of the manufacturing. Integrated and practical approaches that combine the knowledge generated from the scientific approach and the technician approach need to be developed to aid in the education of future participants. This is termed the “engineering level” of treatment of the topic manufacturing of composites. A few examples of the activities of each of the three levels are given. The issues and challenges along with recent developments in the manufacturing of composites are given.