Fiberglass reinforced epoxy composite

The effect of the type of organic group in the silane-coupling agent is shown in Table 15.9. Epoxysilane and the vinylbenzylamino silane were used in fiberglass-reinforced epoxy composite formulations and the samples were aged in bofling water for 72 h. 

Organic-ceramic composites may use an epoxy as the matrix and glass or ceramic powder as the filler. A common example is the fiberglass-reinforced epoxy used as a printed circuit laminate. An epoxy substrate filled with alumina and carbon black has also been developed. By weight, the composition is 10.8 percent epoxy resin, 89 percent alumina, and 0.2 percent carbon black. This material has a thermal conductivity of 3.0 to 4.0 W/(m K), compared to both glass-epoxy printed circuit material [0.2 W/(m K)] and glass-alumina low temperature cofired substrates [2.5 W/(m K)]. The TCE (17 ppm/°C) is substantially below that... 

Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) is used in composite systems. It is particularly important in the process industry because of its corrosion resistance and light weight. The epoxy resin in the FRP matrix begins to melt at approximately 150°C (302°F). This may be used as a first-order failure criterion. Failure of empty 5-mm thick FRP pipes in 2-6 minutes has been reported (SINTEF,... 

The resin matrix can be either thermosetting or thermoplastic. Thermosetting resins such as epoxy, polyimide, polyester, and phenolic are used in applications where physical properties are important. Polyester and epoxy composites make up the bulk of the thermoset composite market. Of these two, polyesters dominate by far. Reinforced with glass fiber, these are known as fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRPs). FRPs are molded by layup and spray-up methods or by compression molding either a preform or sheet molding compound (SMC). 

A variety of low-dielectric, low-loss resin systems are available for high-speed circuit apph-cations. These include polytetrafluoroethylene (FTFE or Teflon ), cyanate ester, epoxy blends, and allylated polyphenylene ether (APPE). Likewise, a few different reinforcements and fillers are available that can be used to modify the electrical properties of the base material. Although E-glass is stm the most commonly used fiberglass reinforcement, it should be noted that others are available. In addition, inorganic fillers are sometimes used to modify electrical properties as well. Table 9.6 provides electrical property data on some of the available fiberglass materials. Table 9.7 provides data on some of the base material composites available. 

First-generation polymer composites (e.g., fiberglass) used thermosetting epoxy polymers reinforced with randomly oriented short glass fibers. The filled epoxy resin could be cured into a permanent shape in a mold to give lightweight, moderately strong shapes. 

Carbon can be treated at high temperature to form strong, light fibers that are mixed with other materials such as epoxy resin to form composites similar to those reinforced with fiberglass but lighter and stronger. Most... 

Other sources of reinforcement are fibers like those of carbon and metal. Fibers can add rigidity and help prevent crack propagation. A common composite is fiberglass, which consists of small glass fibers embedded within a polymeric material that is typically an epoxy or polyester [11]. Epoxy resin is used as a structural matrix in the aerospace industry. It is also used as glue. 

In addition to being available as continuous filaments and staple fibers in mats, fiberglass textiles are also available as biaxial, triaxial, knitted and three dimensional braided patterns. Many different resin matrices are in use but the emphasis in this chapter will be on unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins. While the strength and stiffness are controlled primarily by the reinforcements, the resinous matrix contributes to thermal conductivity and flexibility. The ultimate properties of these composites are based on a harmonious contribution of both the continuous and discontinuous phases. 

The term composite, as used in this paper, refers to materials having overall properties that are some average of the properties of several distinct components, one of which is contiguous and forms a matrix having a noncoherent interface with the reinforcing elements. Filamentary-reinforced materials, such as fiberglass-epoxy, and aggregates, such as concrete, fall within this definition. Composite laminates are built up from distinct plies of reinforcement in contrast to filament-would composites, which do not exhibit a laminated structure. 

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