Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites
New products with high mechanical and structural properties have been obtained as an alternative to traditional products by production of fiber-reinforced polymer composites which used in the automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, marine and biomedical sectors [1].
Fiber-reinforced polymeric composites consist of fiber (reinforcement) and matrix (polymer) basic components, and it is possible to obtain the desired product properties by selecting the right fiber-matrix combination.
Fiber is the main component that ensures the structural strength and integrity of the composite. Glass, carbon, aramid fiber types are used in different sizes and shapes in composite production. Glass fiber is the most preferred fiber that provides cost advantages. Carbon fibers are preferred in the production of high performance products where higher strength and stiffness properties are desired [2]. Aramid fibers are used to provide high strength with both lightness and high stiffness.
Matrix as another component in composites and it is “provides rigidity and shape to the structure, acts as a load transfer medium, helps to determine the physical properties of the end product, and protects it from hostile environmental conditions. As a continuous phase, the matrix also controls the transverse properties, interlaminar strength, and elevated temperature strength of composites”[2].
Thermoset and thermoplastic polymers are preferred as matrix in the production of polymeric composites. Thermoplastic resins used in composite production; polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polypropylene etc. Thermoset resins are unsaturated polyester, epoxy and polyurethane.
Thermoset polymers are used more in composite production due to their good thermal and mechanical properties and less cost than thermoplastic polymers. Each of the thermoset resins used as a matrix has some advantageous and disadvantageous properties. For example, unsaturated polyester resins have price advantage, good mechanical properties, resistance to moisture, light and chemicals, but also have low acid-base resistance and insufficient repeatability in some production methods. On the other hand, epoxy resins are resistant to many solvents/chemical and show better mechanical and thermal properties than unsaturated polyester resins, but cause high production costs. Polyurethane resins stand out as a new and alternative product that can incorporate the advantages of different resins. Polyurethane resins provide usage advantages such as not containing harmful chemicals (styrene etc.) during curing, variable curing time, low viscosity of the resin, high mechanical and chemical resistance [3,4].
It is possible to contribute to the progress of the composite industry by obtaining the desired superior properties in composite products with the development of hybrid products that can combine the advantages of using all these resins and different polymers.
Evoco Polymer efforts to develop innovative products for the improvement of composite materials.
References
[1] Rajak, D. K., Pagar, D. D., Menezes, P. L., & Linul, E. (2019). Fiber-reinforced polymer composites: Manufacturing, properties, and applications. Polymers, 11(10), 1667.
[2] Khan, L. A., & Mehmood, A. H. (2016). Cost-effective composites manufacturing processes for automotive applications. In Lightweight Composite Structures in Transport (pp. 93-119). Woodhead Publishing.
[3] Biron, M. (2013). Thermosets and composites: material selection, applications, manufacturing and cost analysis, 6-Composites, Pages 299-473, Elsevier.
[4] Bareis, D.W., Heberer, D.P., Connolly, M., & Polyurethanes, H. (2011). Advances in Urethane Composites: Resins With Tunable Reaction Times.
Authors : Eser Bingöl Date: August 2022
