Types glass fiber-reinforced polymer

As first described in Section 1.4.2, there are a number of ways of further classifying fiber-matrix composites, such as according to the fiber and matrix type—for example, glass-fiber-reinforced polymer composites (GFRP) or by fiber orientation. In this section, we utilize all of these combinations to describe the mechanical properties of some important fiber-reinforced composites. Again, not all possible combinations are covered, but the principles involved are applicable to most fiber-reinforced composites. We begin with some theoretical aspects of strength and modulus in composites. 

Williams, B., Shehata, E., and Rizkalla, S.H. (2003), Filament-wound glass fiber reinforced polymer bridge deck modules , J. Comp. Const., 7(3), 266-273 Xiao, Y, and Wu, H. (2003), Compressive behavior of concrete confined by various types of FRP composite jackets , J. Reinf. Plast. Comp., 22(3), 1187-1201 Zhao, L., Burgueilo, R., Rovere, H.L., Seible, F, and Karbhari, V. (2000), Preliminary evaluation of the hybrid tube bridge system. Report TR-2000/04 , Final Test Report submitted to California Department of Transportation under Contract No. 59AO032, San Diego, CA. 

Some of the common types of plastics that ate used ate thermoplastics, such as poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) (see Polymers containing sulfur), nylons, Hquid crystal polymer (LCP), the polyesters (qv) such as polyesters that ate 30% glass-fiber reinforced, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polyetherimide (PEI) and thermosets such as diaHyl phthalate and phenoHc resins (qv). Because of the wide variety of manufacturing processes and usage requirements, these materials ate available in several variations which have a range of physical properties. 

STYRENE-MALEIC ANHYDRIDE. A thermoplastic copolymer made by the copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride. Two types of polymers are available—impact-modified SMA terpolymer alloys (Cadon ) and SMA copolymers, with and without rubber impact modifiers (Dylark ). These products are distinguished by higher heat resistance than the parent styrenic and ABS families. The MA functionality also provides improved adhesion to glass fiber reinforcement systems. Recent developments include lerpolymer alloy systems with high-speed impact performance and low-temperature ductile fail characteristics required by automotive instrument panel usage. 

Composite is a stmctural material that gains its strength from a combination of complementary materials, i.e., polymer and its reinforcement. The most common type of composite, glass fiber reinforced material, is not a typical example in the case of PVC because of difficulties in design for interaction between both materials and lack of convenient means of adhesion promotion. 

The degree to which carbon fibers reduce the coefficient of friction of thermoplastic resins is largely determined by the type of matrix resin used. Coefficient of friction of carbon fibers against steel is about 0.25 compared with 0.8 for glass fiber. Polymers reinforced with carbon fibers cause only about one-tenth of the wear on a relatively soft counterface such as mild steel than glass fiber-reinforced plastics. 

Wang F-Y, Ma C-C M and Wu W-J (1999), Mechanical properties, morphology, and flame retardance of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide-toughened novolac-type phenolic resin , J Appl Polym Sci, 73, 881-887. 

Basically a polymer composite contains a polymer and a nonpolymer. While polymer composites include such compositions as foams and some types of gels, this chapter will be restricted to compositions of one or more polymers and one or more nonpolymers in the bulk state. There are a few points of overlap between blends and composites polymer-impregnated wood (where wood itself is a natural polymer blend), and organic fiber (e.g., polyester) reinforced plastics constitute examples. Compositions of special interest to this chapter include glass fiber reinforced plastics, carbon black reinforced rubber, and mineral-pigmented coatings. 

For composite reinforcement appUcations such as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), also known as glass-fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP), the fiber can be supplied as chopped strands (at several standard lengths, from 3 to 12 mm) or continuous roving, which can be chopped at the point of composite manufacture. It can also be supplied as milled fiber, with lengths of about 0.2 mm. Roving can be woven into a wide variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes for polymer impregnation. The relationships between the various process steps and the resulting types of reinforcement fiber products are shown in Fig. 6.41. 

A new type of polymer-polymer composites, the microfibrillar reinforced composites (MFC) from thermoplastic polymer blends, was created about ten years ago. Unlike the classical macro-composites e.g., glass fiber-reinforced ones) and the in situ composites (TLCP rod-like macromolecules and mostly their aggregates as reinforcing elements), the MFC are reinforced by microfibrils of flexible chains. The microfibrils are created during the MFC manufacturing. 

Of the three most common reinforcing fiber types used for polymer-reinforced composites (carbon, glass, and aramid), carbon fibers have the highest modulus of elasticity and strength in addition, they are the most expensive. Properties of these three (as well as other) fiber materials are compared in Table 16.4. Furthermore, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites have outstanding modulus- and strength-to-weight ratios. 

During the last two decades, the interest of academia and industry in single polymer composites (SPCs) increased immensely due to the steady increasing adverse environmental impact of synthetic, petroleum-based polymers and their glass fiber-reinforced composites. In parallel, studies driven mostly by environmental concerns and aiming at replacement of the mineral reinforcing component in polymer composites resulted in creation of new types of composite materials. To them belong the polymer-polymer composites (PPCs) with natural fibers as reinforcement [2] or synthetic fibrous components as reinforcement [3]. 

Laser welded joints were examined nsing optical and polarized ligjit micioscopy, under both reflected and transmitted light, as well as scanning election microscopy. The following materials were used polycarbonate, polyamide-6, and polyamide-6 reinforeed with 30% glass fibers. The influence of laser power on the sh e, dimensions, and quality of laser-welded joints was evaluated, in both the absorbent and non-absorbent parts of the joint. Glass fiber orientation distributions were also examined. The effects of polymer type and fiber reinforcement, as well as laser power, on the dimensions and quality of the joints are reported. 

Polypropylene can be fabricated by almost any process used for plastics (see Plastics processing). The extmsion of pipe and injection mol ding of fittings present no unusual problem. However, there is no way to bond the fittings to the pipe except by remelting the polymer, which is impractical on most constmction sites. The resin can be reinforced by glass fibers, mineral fillers, or other types of fillers and can be pigmented readily. 

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