Aerospace Polymeric Materials

Book excerpt: This book discusses polymeric and composite materials for aerospace industries and discusses some general qualities of aviation materials, e.g., strength, density, malleability, ductility, elasticity, toughness, brittleness, fusibility, conductivity, and thermal expansion. Metals and alloys have so far been best able to utilize their qualities almost to the maximum. The latest advancements in polymers and composites have opened up a new area of conjecture about how to modify airplanes and shuttles to be more polymeric and less metallic. Polymeric materials have been the focus of exploration due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, low cost, and a greater degree of freedom in strengthening the needed qualities. Strength, density, malleability, ductility, elasticity, toughness, brittleness, fusibility, conductivity, and thermal expansion are some of the general qualities of aviation materials that are taken into account. Aerospace Polymeric Materials discusses a wide range of methods with an outline of polymeric and composite materials for aerospace applications. Among the range of topics discussed are aerogel properties; polymeric welding; polymeric reinforcement, their properties, and manufacturing; conducting polymer composites; electroactive polymeric composites; and polymer nanocomposite dielectrics. In addition, a summary of self-healing materials is also presented, including their significance, manufacturing methods, properties, and applications. Audience This is a useful guide for engineers, materials scientists, researchers, and postgraduate students from industry, academia, and laboratories that are linked to polymeric composites.