Properties of Reinforced Polymers

Strength numbers are ratios of properties of reinforced polymer to unreinforced polymer. 

Only a limited amount of quantitative data are available on the effect of carbon fiber on the electrical properties of reinforced polymers, as opposed to unreinforced plastics, where data are readily available. 

Silicones and polytetrafluoroethylene have both been used to modify the properties of reinforced polymer gears. 

Overall, cellulose I is mainly responsible for the mechanical properties of reinforced polymer composites due to its high elastic modulus and crystallinity. The elastic modulus of perfect cellulose crystals has been calculated and estimated between 130 GPa to 250 GPa, whereas the tensile strength is approximately between 0.8 GPa to 10 GPa [28]. In previous studies cellulose has already been processed into films, gels, fibers, microfibers, nanofibers and nanocrystals for different applications [29-32]. Actually, cellulose fiber is the bundle of microfibrils comprising nanocrystalline domains linking through amorphous domains [33]. 

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