Fiber-reinforced polymers architectural

Over last several years, scientific interest towards innovative fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications for structural reinforcement on one side and the peculiarity of the extremely diversified Italian architectural heritage on the other directed the attention of many researchers to the fields of structural mechanics, constructions, structural reinforcement, and seismic engineering. Several scientific programs have resulted from this, funded by the most important Italian research centers, in particular, by MIUR and CNR. 

The piezoelectric material itself may be a composite. For example, combinations of piezoelectric polymers and piezoelectric ceramics have been made. Spom and Schoenecker discuss ceramic fibers in a polymer matrix. First, PZT fibers with diameters <30 mm oriented uniaxially in a planar fiber architecture along with interdigital electrodes. Then the fiber/electrode architectures are embedded within glass fiber-reinforced polymers and the fibers are poled and become piezoelectric. 

Improved fiber matrbc adhesion and thereby improved mechanical properties can be accomplished by engineering a superior processing condition in preparing the bio-composites, by altering the polymer architecture of the matrix or by the surface treatment on the fiber [47]. Table 23.1 showed mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced PLA composites. 

Fiber-reinforced plastics are the most successful composite materials. In spite of the poor load-bearing ability of polymeric materials, excellent mechanical properties are achieved by using fiber architectures of glass and carbon hbers in a manner similar to the reinforcement of concrete with steel rods and frames. For example, toughened polymeric materials with dispersed rubber particles in a polymer matrix exhibit high fracture energy. In composite materials, introduction of secondary materials into the matrix can improve the mechanical properties considerably. 

For copolymer fibers, the tensile strength and modulus were found to be much higher than those of the PI fibers. Furthermore, Figure 8 shows that tensile strength and modulus of PBTA/PI molecular composite fibers increase with an increase of the PBTA content in block copolymers. It is evident that introdudng a liquid-crystalline polymer in molecular architecture makes considerable reinforcing effects in molecular composites. 

Metal fibers are mainly used for woven and knitted fabrics. Typical applications of metal fibers are filters (as in polymer melt spinning), antistatic applications (for example, filters, protective clothing), reinforcement structures (tire cord), and also sensors (smart textiles) and architecture (metal fabric fagade). 

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