Advanced Composite Manufacturing: Processing and Matrices

This lecture covers the processing of composite materials, focusing on the role of matrices in thermoplastic and thermoset polymers. It discusses the challenges in composite processing, the types of polymer matrices, and practical issues in thermoset and thermoplastic processing. Various processing methods such as injection molding, extrusion, 3D printing, and pultrusion are explained, along with their advantages and drawbacks. The lecture also delves into composite processing techniques like wet lay-up, vacuum molding, autoclave molding, and resin infusion. It concludes with a discussion on pultrusion, filament winding, tape placement, and thermoforming, highlighting their applications and limitations.