Fiber Reinforced Polymers

Introduction

Engineers have come up with interesting methods of hardening plastics that overcome the challenges experienced due to prior technologies such as steel reinforcement. The development of composite material made from the reinforcement of polymer matrix with fibers is extremely useful. The technology associated with fiber reinforcement and the applications in the industry piques the interest of any reader. Fiber reinforcement technology is a useful discovery whose application excels in most industries particularly in construction. As such its application is becoming extremely popular among the civil and structural engineering communities. The process offers strengthening qualities for fiber that performs better than fiber in bulk. Understanding this topic provides the researcher with an oversight of complex structures of most material used today.

The composite material develops from the fusion of two or more physically or chemically different constituent material. The constituent material must retain their distinct properties within the final structure after fusion. The process can either occur naturally or gets induced artificially. Engineers can use different types of polymers depending on the application of the fiber reinforced polymer. The structural and economical feasibility of the composite determines whether it is a viable alternative for the previously used material. The engineers combine the polymers with various agents that modify the material properties of the polymer. The difference in the forms of the varying fiber reinforced polymers arises from the mixing different components or mixing components at different ratios. The other name for the final compounds is plastic. The process can produce a uniform or an amalgamated mix. Both processes entail the mixture of two or more materials to develop a new product. Nevertheless, the difference between the two processes lies in the end process. The components of the different materials mix to form a final compound with the desired material in homozygous mixing while the compound retains the original properties of the constituent compounds. The strength of the fiber reinforcement polymer depends on the mechanical properties of the fiber and the matrix. Other factors that affect the proficiency of the final product include the ratio of the mix between the matrix and the fiber, the fiber length and the structure of the matrix.

The developers make fiber reinforcement polymers by combining plastic polymer resin with strong reinforcement fibers. As stated earlier the components retain their form as such contribute the attributes of their unique properties to the polymer. It results in the development of better material. There are two distinct processes in the development of FRPs fiber fabrication and composite production. Fiber fabrication entails the manufacture of fiber that demands a lot of heat and pressure. The production of fiber can either be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. In the two-dimensional processing, the fibers get aligned in the x-direction and y-direction. On the other hand, in the three-dimensional the developers arrange the fibers in the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction. These fibers also undergo manufacture of fiber forms before getting bonded to the matrix. The second step in composite production entails bonding the fibers with the matrix in the molding process. It allows the manufacturers to attain different forms of the composite. In molding, the developers place the mixture of the fibers and the matrix in specifics equipment and apply high temperature and pressure. The process forces the layers of the matrix onto the fibers.

There is five fiber reinforced polymers; however the most commonly used polymers are the carbon fibers and the fiberglass. Both polymers offer high-quality properties that are useful in several industries. The carbon fiber polymers have an excellent combination of high modulus and extremely low CTE. They also have high tensile strength. These characteristics increase the levels of carbon fiber resistance to high temperature. There are five types of carbon fibers categorized using tensile modulus low, standard, intermediate, high and ultra-high modulus. The increase of the modulus reduces the elasticity of the polymer and makes it harder to handle and costly. Fiber derives its name from the process of development. It is a glass that the developers spin to take a form similar to that of fiber. It has several beneficial attributes that make it applicable in industries. Fiberglass is invincible to all types of transmissions and is an insulator to electricity. There is five major types of fiberglass alkali, chemical, electrical, structural and dielectric glass. These types of fiberglass have their mechanical properties that make them effective for a particular function.

Conclusion

It is visible that the FRP products have a variety of properties that give them an advantage in their functions over other materials. It is also clear that chemistry functions play a fundamental role in the success of the manufacture and also the understanding of this field; nevertheless there are other key functions that require aspects of engineering and physics. The cost of production of the FRPs has to be proportionate to its functions in case least it is a wasteful venture. Even though researchers have found very many applications for FRPs, they are consistently identifying new applications for the polymers in the numerous industries that create a bright future for the field.

Carolyn Morgan is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in paper college 24/7. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from custom nursing papers.