Metallic Reinforcing Parts

Where pneumatic tires, belts, and conveyor belts are in contact with reinforcing metallic elements, tubes are provided with reinforcing cords or wires. 

In general, in the production of all rubber articles in which rubber is reinforced with metal, it is necessary to obtain between the metal and the elastomeric composition a strong and durable bond in order 

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Besides aluminum pouch film, plastic materials can also be cast into different shapes as cases for lithium-ion batteries [4]. This is mainly applied to lithium-ion batteries of large capacity, which mainly use LiFeP04 as the positive electrode material. Usually, PP or PET is the primary material. In order to enhance its strength, some inert fillers can be added, and some metallic reinforcing parts can also be attached. 

Attempts have been made to increase the strength of GICs by reinforcing them with metal fibers or flakes. Silver and gold powder have been mixed or fused with the glass powder part of the cement. Such approaches have resulted in improved wear resistance. The properties and clinical use of metal-reinforced glass-ionomer cements have recently been reviewed by Wasson (1993) and hence will not be repeated here [172]. 

As illustrated in Figure 10.2, many composite applications utilize a caul plate or pressure intensifier. Caul plates result in a greatly improved part surface finish compared with a bag surface, improved dimensional control, and improved radius quality. Caul plates are also used to reduce ply movement during processing of honeycomb reinforced parts. Caul plates may be semi-rigid or rigid in nature. Semi-rigid caul plates, which are the most common type, are typically constructed of thin metal, composite, or rubber materials so they are flexible in... 

Polyurethanes can flex and deform to assist in any movement of parts. The elastic nature means that the polymer will return to close to its original shape after any minor deformation. The flexibility can be a disadvantage in certain situations and the positive attributes (e.g., better wear) nullified. In such situations, the casting of an outer surface of polyurethane over a metal reinforcing is advantageous. 

Lawcock G, Ye L, Mai Y-W, Sun C-T, Effects of fiber/matrix on carbon fiber reinforced metal laminates. Part 1, Residual strength. Composites Sci Technol, 57, 1609 1619, 1997. 

Metal reinforced concrete floors could perhaps be made part of the equipotential zone by a bonding connection to the reinforcement. It should be effective if the metal mesh is electrically continuous. Where this is impracticable and there is a substantial shock risk - in wet kitchens or laundry rooms, for example - it is suggested that the location be regarded as outside the equipotential zone (see section 471-08-03) and the disconnection times reduced to those in Table 41 A. Alternatively, an insulating floor covering should be provided. 

Reinforce parts of the mold with pieces of metal, wood, cardboard, or fiberglass mats soaked in resin, styrene, and catalyst. 

Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheet. This process uses precombined sheets of thermoplastic resin and glass fiber reinforcement, cut into blanks to fit the weight and size requirements of the part to be molded. The blanks, preheated to a specified temperature, are loaded into the metal mold and the material flows under mol ding pressure to fiU the mold. The mold is kept closed under pressure until the temperature of the part has been reduced, the resin solidified, and demolding is possible. Cycle time, as with thermosetting resins, depends on the thickness of the part and the heat distortion temperature of the resin. Mol ding pressures are similar to SMC, 10—21 MPa (1500—3000 psi), depending on the size and complexity of the part. 

Pinch The industrial equivalent of controlling flow bv pinching a soda straw is the pinch valve, Mves of this tvpe use fabric-reinforced elastomer sleeves that completely isolate the process fluid from the metal parts in the valve. The valve is actuated bv applying air pressure directly to the outside of the sleeve, causing it to contract or pinch. Another method is to pinch the sleeve with a linear actuator with a specially attached foot. Pinch valves are used extensively for corrosive material service and erosive sliirrv senice. This type of valve is used in applications with pressure drops up to 10 bar (145 psi),... 

Glass-reinforced grades have widely replaced metals in pumps and other functional parts in washing equipment and central heating systems. In the manufacture of business machine and computer housings structural foam materials have found some use. Mouldings weighing as much as 50 kg have been reported. 

There are, of course, many more aspects of composite hardware design that differ from metallic bonded structure but do not necessarily involve adhesive bonding. For instance there are many types of reinforcement tape and fabric to choose from, the orientation of the plies must be chosen, the ply stackups must be balanced to avoid part warping after cure, a minimum number of plies must be used to prevent non-visible impact damage that significantly affects the load carrying capability of the part, etc. 

Not all of the strength and stiffness advantages of fiber-reinforced composite materials can be transformed directly into structural advantages. Prominent among the reasons for this statement is the fact that the joints for members made of composite materials are typically more bulky than those for metal parts. These relative inefficiencies are being studied because they obviously affect the cost trade-offs for application of composite materials. Other limitations will be discussed subsequently. 

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