Composites and Materials

Composites research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on processing-microstructure-property-performance relationships of polymer-, metal-, and ceramic-matrix composites. The University of Delaware's world-renowned Center for Composite Materials provides additional expertise and state-of-the-art facilities for composites manufacturing, computation, characterization, and testing.

Mechanics
Research in the mechanics area focuses on relating the microstructure and internal architecture of composite materials to their performance. The emphasis is on understanding how the control and design of microstructure can improve mechanical performance. The research is addressing a range of issues, including high-strain-rate effects, design and characterization of composite sandwich structures, and characterization of dynamic fracture. Dynamic fracture experiments of polymer-matrix composites are conducted using lateral shearing interferometry in conjunction with high-speed photography at framing rates of up to two million frames per second.

Fabrication
Composites fabrication research focuses on the development of process models and simulations in a virtual manufacturing environment, as well as on experimental validation of these models and simulations in the laboratory. An integral part of fabrication is on-line sensing and control to improve reliability and decrease costs. Department researchers are exploring a variety of methods for composites fabrication, including liquid molding techniques, textile preform processing, microwave heating for curing and bonding, and automated fiber placement for

Durability
Durability research is aimed at evaluating the degradation of materials, the effects of defects, and long-term environmental effects on composite structures. Issues being investigated include degradation of high-temperature alloys in carbonaceous atmospheres, corrosion of metal-matrix composites, damage of textile composites, and microcracking in polymer-matrix composites. Research is currently addressing fatigue behavior and damage development in woven fabric and hybrid fabric composites.

Material Characterization and Modeling
High-strength fabrics are widely used in structural applications where flexibility and weight are important. Applications range from personal protection systems for individuals to inflatable structures used in outer space. Given the complexity of material systems comprised of hundreds of high-strength fibers combined to form yarns which are then processed into fabrics - where these fabrics are then coated and/or impregnated before being utilized in a multiple-layer system involving other materials, it is easy to understand the necessity for something other than trial and error experiments when designing optimal, flexible structural systems. Therefore, a focused design effort requires computer simulations that accurately capture the loading phenomena and response of fabric systems. Understanding these systems requires integration of models at multiple scales: fiber - yarn - fabric - component - system, as well as developing approaches for the interactions and transitions between scales.

Center for Composite Materials
Founded in 1974, the Center for Composite Materials (CCM) is an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary center of excellence for composites education and research at the University of Delaware. CCM is dedicated not only to educating composites scientists and engineers but also to conducting innovative basic and applied research and transitioning it to industry and government, where it serves as the foundation for the development of low-cost, high-quality products and processes. Through close affiliation with ME and other contributing departments, CCM facilitates the formation of multidisciplinary research teams, which bring a unique perspective to composites research at the University of Delaware. CCM has also been a designated Army Center of Excellence since 1986 and was selected to establish the Navy-funded Advanced Material Intelligent Processing Center in 1997.

Which faculty members are doing research in this area? Take a look at the Faculty Research Matrix to find out.