Jason Gallagher
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. K. Chandrashekhara

Abstract
Glass is the most commonly used transparent material. However, glass is not suitable in applications where low weight and high strength are required. These applications are more suitable for transparent composites. High transparency is maintained by precisely matching the refractive index of the matrix with that of the glass fiber. Rectangular glass ribbons are used as reinforcement instead of circular fibers since rectangular ribbons scatter less light. The windows of aircraft are an ideal application of these types of composites. Transparent composites are manufactured using a vacuum infusion process where the preforms are laid up, vacuum bagged, infused with resin, and then cured in an oven. Several tests are performed on transparent composites to determine their properties.