Composite manufacture, polymer industry

CFRPs are strong and light fiber-reinforced polymers. Carbon fibers are a new breed of high-strength materials. Carbon fiber contains at least 90% carbon prepared by controlled pyrolysis of rayon fibers [34]. The subsistence of carbon fiber came into use in 1879 when Edison took a patent for the fabrication of carbon filaments used in electric lamps [35]. The composites manufactured using carbon fiber reinforcements exhibit a range of mechanical properties suitable for many constructional, industrial, and automobile applications. 

Optics. Good optical properties and low thermal resistance make poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers well suited for use as plastic optical fibers. The manufacturing methods and optical properties of the fibers have been reviewed (124) (see Fiber optics). Methods for the preparation of Fresnel lenses and a Fresnel lens film have been reported (125,126). Compositions and methods for the industrial production of cast plastic eyeglass lenses are available (127). 

In addition to homopolymers of varying molecular and particle structure, copolymers are also available commercially in which vinyl chloride is the principal monomer. Comonomers used eommercially include vinyl acetate, vinylidene chloride, propylene, acrylonitrile, vinyl isobutyl ether, and maleic, fumaric and acrylic esters. Of these the first three only are of importance to the plastics industry. The main function of introducing comonomer is to reduce the regularity of the polymer structure and thus lower the interchain forces. The polymers may therefore be proeessed at much lower temperatures and are useful in the manufacture of gramophone records and flooring compositions. 

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