This book reviews the wealth of research dedicated to forming high-quality composites — versatile engineered materials comprising two or more constituents which, when combined, lead to improved properties over the individual components while remaining separate on a macroscopic level. It reviews the basics of forming mechanisms and composites characterization; examines the modeling, analysis, and simulation of various forming techniques; discusses forming technologies for a wide array of composite material types; and more.

From the Introduction: “Composite materials are available in many forms and are produced using a variety of manufacturing methods. A range of fibre types is used — primarily carbon and glass — and these can be combined with a variety of polymer matrices. This book concentrates on `long' fibre composites, including fibres from a few centimeters in length (i.e. excluding injection moulding compounds). So the processing methods of interest include compression moulding of thermoplastic or thermoset moulding compounds; resin transfer moulding based on dry fibre preforms; forming and consolidation of thermoset prepreg and thermoplastic sheets; and forming of new material forms including composite/metal laminates and polymer/polymer (self-reinforced) composites...”

Target Audience: Engineers, researchers, academics, and upper-level students concerned with the production and use of composite structures.

Table of Contents:

Composite Forming Mechanisms and Materials Characterisation

Constitute Modelling for Composite Forming

Finite Element Analysis of Composite Forming

Virtual Testing for Material Formability

Optimization of Composites Forming

Simulation of Compression Moulding to Form Composites

Understanding Composite Distortion During Processing

Forming Technology for Composite/Metal Hybrids

Forming Self-Reinforced Polymer Materials

Forming Technology for Thermoset Composites

Forming Technology for Thermoplastic Composites

The Use of Draping Simulation in Composite Design

Benchmarking of Composite Forming Modelling Techniques

Index