Fibre reinforced polymer composites confinement

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials for confinement... 

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The fimdamental motivation for adding nanotubes to polymer fibres is similar to those outlined above for other composite systems namely, that there is an opportunity to improve the mechanical and functional properties of the matrix by drawing on the unique properties of the nanotubes. However, there are some additional attractions. At the current stage of development, bulk nanotube composites appear to offer only comparable properties to systems reinforced with conventional chopped fibres. However, unlike the nanotubes, such conventional fillers caimot be accommodated within fine polymer fibres. Thus, CNTs/CNFs offer a new route to nano-reinforced polymer fibres, and can provide unique improvements in performance. These improvements can be significant even at the current level of development of nanotube composites, using existing commercial CVD materials, because no other established filler can compete in the confined environment of the polymer fibre. 

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