Fibre-reinforced polymer materials

Keller T (2002). Fibre reinforced polymer materials in bridge construction , lABSE Symposium, Towards a Better Built Environment - Innovation, Sustainability, Information Technology, Melbourne. 

The generic thermosets are the epoxies and the polyesters (both widely used as matrix materials for fibre-reinforced polymers) and the formaldehyde-based plastics (widely used for moulding and hard surfacing). Other formaldehyde plastics, which now replace bakelite, are ureaformaldehyde (used for electrical fittings) and melamine-formaldehyde (used for tableware). 

The markets for polyetherimides arise to an extent from stricter regulations concerning flammability and smoke evolution coupled with such features as high strength, toughness and heat resistance. Application areas include car under-the-bonnet uses, microwave equipment, printed circuit boards and aerospace (including carbon-fibre-reinforced laminated materials). The polymer is also of interest in flim, fibre and wire insulation form. 

More data on polymers and other fibre-reinforced polymers can be found in the proceedings of various ICMC (International Cryogenic Materials Conference) meetings devoted to non-metallic materials and composites at low temperatures [113-117] and some special issues of the journal Cryogenics [118-120]. 

Subclass B2 is formed by the so-called structural composites, in which an outspoken mechanical reinforcement is given to the polymer. Subgroup B21 consists of blends of polymers with compatible anti-plasticizers subgroups B22 are the most important the fibre-reinforced polymer systems. The two components, the polymer matrix and the reinforcing fibbers or filaments (glass, ceramic, steel, textile, etc.) perform different functions the fibrous material carries the load, while the matrix distributes the load the fibbers act as crack stoppers, the matrix as impact-energy absorber and reinforcement connector. Interfacial bonding is the crucial problem. 

Summerscales. J., and Fry, S.. Poisson s ratio in fibre reinforced polymer composites with high void content. J. Material Science Letters, 13. 912 -914 (1994). 

LCA of fibre-reinforced composite materials has helped to better characterise composite products, in terms of environmental performance, and compare them with other classes of materials. Generally, LCAs of bio-based polymer composites have shown favourable results in terms of environmental impacts and energy use compared to petroleum-based products (Corbiere-Nicolher et al., 2001 Domburg et al., 2004 Gonzalez-Garcia et al., 2010 Wool and Sun, 2005). However, calculation of these impacts always depends on the system and boundary conditions considered during the study. 

Fibre reinforced polymer composite materials for building and construction... 

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs), a relatively new class of non-corrosive, high-strength and lightweight material, have over the past approximately 15 years emerged as practical materials for a number of... 

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials for flexural strengthening... 

One of the most important characteristics of polymer materials is that they are lightweight. The term lightweight construction is often used in connection with so-called lightweight construction materials such as fibre-reinforced polymer composites. These are important because of their high strength at relatively low density. However, conventional construc-... 

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) are composed of a reinforcement material (glass, aramid or carbon fibres) surrounded and retained by a (thermoplastic or thermosetting) polymer matrix (unsaturated polyester, epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyurethane). FRPs were first used in the rehahiUtation of reinforced or pre-stressed concrete, but they have also been widely used in the reinforcement of timber structures. 

Almost as critical in commercial practice as the effects of reinforcement on proi>erties are the effects of reinforcement on the cost of the material and on its processing. The perceived effect of material cost depends on whether the decisive factor is cost per unit mass or cost per unit volume. Since the additive normally has a density considerably different from that of the po er matrix, the density of the composite differs from that of the polymer. Consider the fibre-reinforced polymer shown schematically in Figure 6.4. A mass m of composite occupies a volume u. It contains a mass of fibres occupying a volume and a mass of matrix occupying a... 

Tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand without tearing apart. It is a measurement of the ability of a material to withstand forces that tend to pull it apart. Tensile strength is measured in unit of force per unit area. Tensile properties of fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) can be determined according to ASTM D638 or according to... 

---