Polyester-based composites reinforcements

Biodegradable polyester-based composites have been extensively studied for use in medical applications owing to their biocompatible and degradable properties in the human body. The major reported examples in biomedical products are fracture-fixation devices, such as sutures, screws, micro titration plates, and delivery systems [77]. Cellulosic nanofiber reinforced PLA composite materials... 

A wide range of biodegradable polyester-based composites is available in the new era of novel materials. Polyester-based composites are mainly manufactured by reinforcing with glass/carbon and natural fibers. The use of natural fibers as reinforcement has increased in the last two decades, because of their easy availability and degradable property. Polyester composites reinforced by glass or carbon fibers... 

Polyester-based resins are also used in bulk plastics in fiberglass reinforced fabrications such as boats, auto body repairs, and for very large structures such as industrial vessels and pipes, and ships for mine sweeping [10]. This technology uses a combination of polycondensation and vinyl-type (chain reaction) technologies to obtain the final composite product. The viscous, still fluid resin used for layup is a linear unsaturated polyester of relatively low-molecular weight. Unsaturation is introduced into the backbone of the polymer by using maleic anhydride to replace a part of the phthalic anhydride (e.g., Eq. 21.4). 

The reinforcing fabrics used were aramid (Kevlar DuPont) and poly(p-pheny-lene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) (Zylon Toyobo). The fabrics were first treated with a 1.5% solution of HB PAMAM (AD-102), dried, then interleaved with an epoxy film structural adhesive (epoxy stage B on polyester net), and compression-molded for 90 min at 120 °C. For the aramid-based composite, FM-73 (Cy-tec) was used as the matrix. For the PBO-based composite, AF-191 (3M) was used as the matrix. The laminates were cut into strips and tested for interlaminar shear strength (ASTM D-2344) using a three-point bending instrament. 

Plastics, particularly polymer-based composites (both thermoplastic and thermoset composites), have been exploited in transportation appUcations for decades. The use of common composites such as glass or carbon fiber reinforced unsaturated polyesters, epoxy, and poly(vinyl ester) matrices is well known. The unique advantage of composites is their strength (tensile strength 4-6 times that of steel) and stiffness, despite their lightweight. 

Unsaturated polyester-based thermosets account for >70 % of the total global volume of all the glass fiber-reinforced thermosetting composites currently used (Atkins 1978 Majumdar 2008). 

Figure 13.9 TGA curves for raw and surface-functionalized Grewia optiva fibers-reinforced unsaturated polyester matrix-based composites.

Singha, A.S., Rana, A.K., Jarial, R.K. Mechanical, dielectric and thermal properties of Grewia optiva fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester matrix based composites. Mater. Des. 51, 924-934 (2013)... 

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