Properties of Reinforced Plastics

Fig. 2-6 Hie growth for structural properties of reinforced plastics, steel, and aluminum during the 20th century.

The improved mechanical properties of reinforced plastics require that the fiber length exceed a certain minimum value. The aspect ratio (length/diameter) of the fibers should be at least about 100 for the full benefits of reinforcement. This is why particulates like carbon black are reinforcements only for hydrocarbon elastomers, but not for plastics generally. 

Figure 7.9 Properties of reinforced plastics based on type and amount of reinforcement...

Fig. 7-2. Comparison of properties of reinforced plastics/composites with those of other ma-terials.

Table R.l Properties of Reinforced Plastics and of Reinforcing Fiber (Ref Harper, C.A., Laminates and Reinforced Plastic Materials and Processes , Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, 3 ed., C.A. Harper, ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996)...

Information on the study of viscoelastic and rheometric properties of reinforced plastics is summarized in Table 2.8. 

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