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Materials / Composites Research

General
Associated Center
Associated Faculty

Selected Research Profiles

• Improved application of coatings improves equipment performance. . .
• Method improves jet engine performance. . .
• Fractals aid in design and processing of polymer matrix composites. . .
  Dr. Ranga Pitchumani uses fractals to model and predict material microstructures and properties in the design and processing of polymer matrix composite materials. In one application, fractals are used to describe the rough surface topography of thermoplastic prepreg tapes and tows that are used in fabrication of thermoplastic-matrix composites. Critical in the processing is the development of interfacial bonding between contacting thermoplastic layers when they are subjected to heat and pressure. The interlaminar bonding, in turn, depends on the interfacial area contact development arising from the flattening of the prepreg surface asperity structures during the processing. The surface topography of the prepregs is irregular with complex asperity structures spanning a range of length scales, rendering a reliable description of the process a challenge. Dr. Pitchumani's research group has developed models utilizing the fractal characteristics of the asperity structures to describe the interlaminar contact interlaminar bond strength evolution during processing of thermoplastic-matrix composites. The models have been used in optimum design of materials and process parameters. Other applications of fractals have been in liquid composite molding and in evaluating the thermal properties of composite materials.
  
  
• Understanding composite formation at the most fundamental level. . .