Fiber reinforced glass composites aerospace

A good example of large-size fiber-reinforced components in aerospace application is the radome covering the underbelly radar on the Hercules transport aircraft. It is made from very thin polyethylene sulfide (PES) film interleaved with PES-impregnated glass fiber cloth, which is subsequently hot molded in a closed die. The composite radome, nearly 1 m in diameter and 6 mm thick, weighs only 10 kg. 

Analysis of thermal transport phenomena in aerospace glass fiber-reinforced components, composite joints, and the composite material interface is very important. It has been shown by finite element analysis and molecular dynamics solutions that interface impedance plays an important role in dictating thermal transport... 

Composites. High molecular weight PPS can be combiaed with long (0.6 cm to continuous) fiber to produce advanced composite materials (131). Such materials having PPS as the polymer matrix have been developed by usiag a variety of reinforcements, including glass, carbon, and Kevlar fibers as mat, fabric, and unidirectional reinforcements. Thermoplastic composites based on PPS have found application ia the aircraft, aerospace, automotive, appliance, and recreation markets (see Composite materials, polymer-matrix). 

Fiber-reinforced composites contain strong fibers embedded in a continuous phase. They form the basis of many of the advanced and space-age products. They are important because they offer strength without weight and good resistance to weathering. Typical fibers are fiberous glass, carbon-based, aromatic nylons, and polyolefins. Typical resins are polyimides, polyesters, epoxys, PF, and many synthetic polymers. Applications include biomedical, boating, aerospace and outer space, sports, automotive, and industry. 

Poly[2,2 -(m-phenylene-5,5 -benzimidazole)] (PBI) is a very high glass transition temperature (Tg 430°C), commercially available material. It possesses excellent mechanical properties, but is difficult to process into large parts and has high moisture regain and poor thermo-oxidative stability at temperatures above approximately 260 °C. Polyimides, especially the thermoplastic polyimides, offer attractive thermo-oxidative stability and processibility, but often lack the thermal and mechanical characteristics necessary to perform in applications such as the matrix for high use-temperature (over 300 °C) structural composites (for example, carbon fiber reinforced) for aerospace use. The attempt to mitigate... 

A combination of carbon fiber, glass fiber or polyester fiber with phenolics leads to fiber reinforced phenolics that are called phenolic composites. Phenolic composites are interesting materials for the aircraft and aerospace industry because, in case of fire, they produce very low smoke density and low toxicity gases. Thermoplastic or elastomeric additives improve mechanical properties, adhesion and toughness of these composites but these additives cause a decrease in flame resistance [1,6],... 

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