Fiber-reinforced polymers materials application

Though short fiber-reinforced mbber composites find application in hose, belt, tires, and automotives [57,98,133,164] recent attention has been focused on the suitability of such composites in high-performance applications. One of the most important recent applications of short fiber-mbber composite is as thermal insulators where the material will protect the metallic casing by undergoing a process called ablation, which is described in a broad sense as the sacrificial removal of material to protect stmcrnres subjected to high rates of heat transfer [190]. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are potential ablative materials because of their high specific heat, low thermal conductivity, and ability of the fiber to retain the char formed during ablation [191-194]. 

The fibers or the yarn or rovings made therefrom can be processed to fleeces or mats (non-oriented semi-finished product) and textiles, lattices or meshes (oriented semifinished products) and can be utilized as such e.g. for thermal insulation or as filter materials, or in composites with other materials e.g. for fiber-reinforced polymers, metals or ceramics. Fibers are generally marketed after surface treatment (chemical modification, annealing, smoothing) to optimize their application and processing properties. 

Glass fiber reinforced polymers and resins have found widespread application as light weight construction materials. In addition, the properties of interfaces and. interphases play a crucial role in determining the ultimate mechanical and other properties in these and related applications. Since the corresponding length scales can be on the far sub-micrometer level, a more detailed insight requires local analysis techniques which provide materials contrast. 

Another characteristic property of polymers, namely their high specific stiffness and strength (which are due to their low density, especially when used in fiber-reinforced composite materials), has led to the use of polymers in transport applications, especially in aerospace industries, where weight saving is of vital importance and materials cost is secondary. However, here again many applications also demand high temperature resistance. 

Fibers have been widely used in polymeric composites to improve mechanical properties. Cellulose is the major substance obtained from vegetable fibers, and applications for cellulose fiber-reinforced polymers have again come to the forefront with the focus on renewable raw materials. Hydrophilic cellulose fibers are very compatible with most natural polymers. The reinforcement of starch with ceUulose fibers is a perfect example of a polymer from renewable recourses (PFRR). The reinforcement of polymers using rigid fillers is another common method in the production and processing of polymeric composites. The interest in new nanoscale fillers has rapidly grown in the last two decades, since it was discovered that a nanostructure could be built from a polymer and layered nanoclay. This new nanocomposite showed dramatic improvement in mechanical properties with low filler content. Various starch-based nano-composites have been developed. 

As the range of applications for fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials in civil engineering constantly increases, there is more and more concern with regard to their performance in critical environments. The high temperature behavior of composite materials is especially important, as fire is a potentially dangerous scenario that must be considered at the design stage of civil infrastructure. 

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. 

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been significantly developed over the past years because of their advantages in processing, mechanical properties and biodegradability. These types of composites are predicted to have more and more applications in the near future. Adhesion and compatibility between natural fiber and polymer matrix will remain a critical issue concerning the overall properties of the composites. Hence, further research is necessary to overcome this shortcoming. Current scientific research has been focused on the selection of the most suitable materials and the optimization of all parameters. 

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials in the reinforcement of concrete structures has shown important results. These interventions are based on the application of carbon fiber, glass, or aramid impregnated with thermosetting polymers. The effectiveness of these interventions is demonstrated both by extensive research in the laboratory and by applications to existing structures. 

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