Principle

Fibre reinforced polymers are composites that consist of fibres which are dispersed in a continuous matrix phase. Due to a number of characteristic advantages such as lightness, resistance to corrosion and resilience, fibre reinforced polymers are predicted to have a great potential in future transportation technologies, from cars and railways to aerospace.

Composition and basic materials

The two physical phases of fibre reinforced polymers are the fibres themselves and the resin matrix. A wide range of materials can be used for fibre reinforced materials. The most common fibre materials are: carbon, glass and aramid. Carbon and aramid give better stiffness properties to the composite material than glass fibre. Resins used for matrices include polyester, epoxy, vinyl ester and phenolic types. Selecting the appropriate resin type determines the service temperature capabilities, chemical resistance properties, electrical and adhesive characteristics of the composite. Furthermore a number of additives are applied such as fire retardants etc.

The overall strength of fibre-reinforced polymers is owed to the plastic flow of the polymeric material under stress transferring the load to the high strength fibre.

Fields of Application

Fibre-reinforced polymers are an attractive substitute for steel (or other metals) in a wide range of applications in aerospace, automotive and construction industries.

Mair 1999 gives the following cost and performance emphasis of different applications of fibre-reinforced polymers.

Source: Mair 1999