Fibrous and Textile Materials for Composite Applications

Book excerpt: This book focuses on the fibers and textiles used in composite materials. It presents both existing technologies currently used in commercial applications and the latest advanced research and developments. It also discusses the different fiber forms and architectures, such as short fibers, unidirectional tows, directionally oriented structures or advanced 2D- and 3D-textile structures that are used in composite materials. In addition, it examines various synthetic, natural and metallic fibers that are used to reinforce polymeric, cementitious and metallic matrices, as well as fiber properties, special functionalities, manufacturing processes, and composite processing and properties. Two entire chapters are dedicated to advanced nanofiber and nanotube reinforced composite materials. The book goes on to highlight different surface treatments and finishes that are applied to improve fiber/matrix interfaces and other essential composite properties. Although a great deal of information about fibers and textile structures used for composite applications is already available, this is the only book currently available that discusses all types of fibers and structures used to reinforce polymers, cement, metal or soil to improve their general performance and multi-functional behaviors. As such, it fills an important gap in the available literature and provides a valuable resource for a wide range of students and researchers from academia and industry.