Composite materials often show distortion during processing. Research investigates mechanisms for the generation of these distortions and approaches to reducing the degree of distortion during manufacture. The majority of this research, worldwide, has focused on traditional aerospace style composites manufacture. Current research activities expand this activity to fiber reinforced composites produced by processes that promise to reduce manufacturing costs and increase production volumes. Further, the current activities investigate composite materials which expand the performance envelop of composite materials, specifically investigating residual stresses developed in composites targeted for much higher application temperatures. The reduction of residual stresses during manufacture is a key element in advancing the effectiveness of the composites manufacturing sector.
Links:
Composite Materials, Manufacture and Structures Laboratory (www.engr.colostate.edu/~don/cmms)