Introduction to FRP Composites
Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are comprised of a reinforcing fibre in a polymer matrix. Most commonly, the reinforcing fibre is fiberglass, although high strength fibres such as aramid and carbon are used in advanced applications. This combination of plastic and reinforcement can produce some of the strongest materials for their weight that technology has ever developed.
FRP composites are incredibly versatile—it is possible to produce an endless variety of composites to meet the exact requirements of very specific applications. Designers and engineers can modify the physical and chemical characteristics of FRP by specifying different materials. For example, high glass fiber reinforcement structures produce maximum physical strengths; high resin content structures produce maximum chemical resistance. An engineer can specify the combination of the two materials to create a composites structure resulting in an optimum design. FRP composites may also contain fillers, additives, and core materials to modify and enhance the final product. FRP composites can also be engineered for additional attributes, such as light transmission, translucence, fluorescence, and conductivity. |