Advanced Composite Materials & Manufacturing Processes - 535.721

This course offers an in-depth exploration of advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes used to build lightweight, high-performance composite and adhesive bonded structures ideal for applications in aerospace, automotive, energy, infrastructure, marine vessels, and more. The course explores advanced composites, typically described as continuous fiber-reinforced polymer matrix laminates with exceptional strength, stiffness, and low weight. Additional topics include fundamentals of polymer matrix composites (PMCs), properties of high-performance reinforcements and matrices, manufacturing processes used to produce solid laminates and sandwich panels, laminate design considerations, and physical and mechanical testing. Through lectures, readings, assignments, and a final design and manufacturing project, students will gain broad experience in composite material selection, manufacturing processes, and design of these exceptional lightweight structures for demanding engineering applications.