Reinforced plastic continued strength

Polyurethane, PVC, and extruded polystyrene provide the bulk of the cellular plastics used for low and cryogenic temperature appHcations. In some cases, eg, the insulation of Hquid hydrogen tanks on space systems, foams have been reinforced with continuous glass fibers throughout the matrix. This improves strength without affecting thermal performance significantly. 

Laminates ate a special form of composite material or reinforced plastic because the continuous reinforcing ply of fibrous material imparts significant strength in the x—j plane. The strength along the axis results from interlaminar bonding of resins. Very few fibers ate oriented in the direction, so it tends to be the weak link in this type of composite. 

A reinforced plastic sheet is to be made from a matrix with a tensile strength of 60 MN/m and continuous glass fibres with a modulus of 76 GN/m. If the resin ratio by volume is 70% and the modular ratio of the composite is 25, estimate the tensile strength and modulus of the composite. 

Filament winding (FW) is a fabrication technique for forming reinforced plastic parts of high strength/modulus and lightweight. It is made possible by exploiting the remarkable strength properties of their continuous fibers or filaments encased in a matrix of a resinous material. For this process, the reinforcement consists of filamentous non-metallic or metallic materials processed either in fibrous or tape forms.488 489... 

A resin (or other material) used to hold particles together. It is the continuous phase in a reinforced plastic that provides mechanical strength. 

Superior mechanical properties, including impact strength and resistance to delamination, are claimed for reinforced plastics made from three-dimensional fabrics [1], Other reinforcement forms include continuous swirl mat, designed to have a minimum of fibre ends, and hybrid fabrics containing two different reinforcing fibres, for example, glass and aramid. There are many different ways in which two different fibres can be combined together. 

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