Reinforcing agents carbon fibre

Plastic composites such as glass- or carbon-fibre reinforced materials are often based on polar epoxy or polyester resins, and are therefore compatible with the common adhesives as well as being readily bondable. Surface treatment is required simply to remove contaminants such as oils, dirt, and especially fluorocarbon mould release agents. The two main techniques used to achieve this are ... 

Engineering polymers also include combinations or composites of the polymers listed in Table 1.1 with reinforcing agents such as glass fibre, talc, carbon fibres, clay minerals, mica and fillers such as calcium carbonate, glass beads, silica, lubricants, PTFE, silicones and molybdenum disulfide. 

Reinforcing agents— particulate fillers, e.g. carbon black, fibrous fillers, e.g. glass or carbon fibres. 

Short-fibre composites are most commonly used in parts which are injection moulded or extruded. Predominantly glass fibres are employed, although carbon fibres and asbestos are occasionally used. The effectiveness of the reinforcement relies on the stress in a component being transferred from the polymer (normally termed the matrix) to the fibre. Thus, a good bond is necessary between fibre and matrix, and to this end the glass is coated with a coupling agent which is compatible with the matrix in which it is dispersed. 

Because the volumes of fillers, plasticisers, reinforcing fibres and colourants sold each year greatly exceed those of antioxidants, lubricants, hght stabihsers, antistatic agents etc., statistics about demand for all additives types have httle meaning unless it is known whether these high volume sales types have been counted. The sales of just one type of mineral fiUer - calcium carbonate - are around two hundred times those of light stabilisers, by volume. 

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