Glass fibre thermoplastic matrix systems

This chapter is concerned with the short-term mechanical properties — moduli and strengths — of glass, aramid and carbon fibres in a thermosetting resin matrix. A little information on reinforced thermoplastic matrix systems is also included. The data mainly refer to the room temperature properties of 55-65 v/o fibre, unidirectional, systems. The effects of the variation in fibre volume loading, method of test and instantaneous and long term exposure to temperature are briefly mentioned. Longitudinal properties tend to be fibre dominated, and so are compressive properties to some extent for glass and carbon fibres. The anisotropy of unidirectional materials is noticeable. 

Thus, substrates such as aluminium and its alloys, alloys of titanium, low- and high-carbon steels, nickel, copper, fibre-reinforced plastics (containing both thermoplastic and thermosetting matrices - in the latter case, the matrix might well also be a formnlated epoxy-based system), glass, concrete and wood are all encountered. This means that they can be, and indeed are, widely used in construction, aerospace, automotive (both original equipment and aftermarket), electrical and electronics, furnimre, foundry, consumer and abrasives applications. 

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