Reinforced plastics preparation methods

Carbon nanotubes can be used in reinforcing polymer matrix composites in two ways a) as the sole reinforcing phase (CNTRP), or b) as an additional reinforcing phase in conjunction with carbon fibers (CF+CNT) in a hybrid composite. Carbon nanotubes reinforced plastics (CNTRP) can be prepared by several methods, as described in section 15.1.3. Both CFRP and CNTRP composite structures can be joined using structural adhesives but machining and drilling are difficult as a result of the widely different properties of their constituents. 

Following the success of ISO 10,350 [34] on comparable data for materials selection for plastics, it was agreed in 1996 to prepare two parts. Part 1 covers unreinforced plastics and plastics reinforced by fibers shorter than 7.5 mm. and Part 2 covers reinforced plastics w ith fibers greater than 7.5 mm. These database standards quote the appropriate international standard, normally ISO as discussed above. The original standard has been adopted widely leading to a greater use of the referenced ISO standards. The wide range of material properties found in composite materials requires that the correct method (e.g.. Part 4 or 5 of ISO... 

RTM was described May 1957 (at the BPF Reinforced Plastics Conference), in a paper on work dating from 1954 at Bristol Aircraft, Filton, UK. It is basically a liquid resin version of compression transfer molding a process in which a charge of compound is placed in a transfer pot and is injected into a closed mold, usually by a plunger system. The method allows the compound to be suitably prepared melt and then transferred fast and accurately into the mold, in which the required reinforcement has already been placed, in suitable form. 

Borysiak S et al (2005) Method of preparation of board composites. Poland Patent No 190,405 George J, Sreekala MS, Thomas S (2001) A review on interface modification and characterization of natural fiber reinforced plastic ctnnposites. Polym Eng Sci 41 1471 Bledzki AK, Reihmane S, Gassan J (1998) Thermoplastics reinforced with wood fillers a literature review. Polym Plast Technol Eng 37 451-468... 

Other nano-fillers have also investigated. Cao et al. [253] reported the utilization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as filler-reinforcement to improve the performance of plasticized starch (PS). The PS/MWCNTs nanocomposites were prepared by a simple method of solution casting and evaporation. The results indicated that the MWCNTs dispersed homogeneously in the PS matrix and formed strong hydrogen bonding with PS molecules. Besides the improvement of mechanical properties, the incorporation of MWCNTs into the PS matrix also led to a decrease in the water sensitivity of the PS-based materials. 

---