Fiber-reinforced polymers fabrication processes

M.L. Shofner, F.J. Rodriguez-Macfas, R. Vaidyanathan, and E.V. Barrera, Single wall nanotube and vapor grown carbon fiber reinforced polymers processed by extrusion freeform fabrication, Composites Part A, 34(12) 1207-1217, December 2003. 

Processing techniques used for basalt fibers are similar to the traditional techniques used for glass fibers (fabric, filament, staples, glass fiber-reinforced polymer [GFRP]). Thanks to their excellent properties, basalt fibers are employable in heat-resistant as weU as alkaline-resistant products (containers, pipes, GFRP, materials for thermal insulation). 

As the value of fiber-reinforced polymers became apparent and accepted in electrical applications, recreation products, and corrosive environments, these synthetic materials began to penetrate virtually every other market worldwide, from automotive and marine to primary structural elements of aircraft and bridges. Such widespread growth in product applications mandated corresponding growth in materials technology, design approaches, and fabrication processes. 

We first describe the characteristic drawability feature of glasses which stems from their viscoelastic nature and then describe the fabrication processes for the glass fiber for insulation and reinforcement of polymers and for optical communication purposes, both of which exploit the ability of glass to be drawn... 

Epoxy resin systems with fiber reinforcements are called "reinforced systems" or "composites." Composites are made by impregnating reinforcing fibers such as glass, synthetic polymer, or graphite fibers, by one of several processes with the desired epoxy resin system, and then curing in a heated mold or die. Epoxy composite systems are formulated with either liquid or solid resins with selection of the type of system dependent on the fabrication process, the cure temperature, and the final part application. 

Silicon carbide (SiC) matrix composites have been fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration (CVl), polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP), and reaction sintering (RS). The RS process can be recognized as an attractive technique, because it offers a high density and good thermal conductivity, compared to those of CVl and PIP process. In general, the fabrication of fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites by reaction sintering involves melt infiltration (Ml) or liquid silicon infiltration (LSI). However, the fabrication of continuous fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites by RS focused in melt infiltration (Ml) such as liquid silicon infiltration (LSl) Vapor silicon infiltration was rarely used for SiC matrix composites. 

Nishitani, Y. Sekiguchi, I. Nakamura, K Nagatsuka Y. Kitano, T. (1998). Fabrication of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylenes and their Physical Properties 1. Influence of Surface Treatment of the Mechanical Properties. Seikei-Kakou (the Journal of Japanese Society of Polymer Processing, in Japanese), Vol.lO, No.2, pp. 129-138 ISSN 0915-4027... 

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