Plastic Composites

Plastic Composites

1. What is it?

   • 2 or more materials joined together
   • Improved mechanical, functional and aesthetic properties
   • Excellent strength to weight ratio

2. Glass Reinforced Plastic

   • made with thermosetting plastic and fine glass
   • glass in the form of matting or strips
   • resin remains liquid until the catalyst or hardener is added
   • added by layer by layer glass matting - resin.......
   • good strength and very resistant to corrosion
   • uses:
     • boats
     • storage tanks
     • pipework
     • plastic roof
   • GRP

3. Kevlar

   • like carbon fibre matting
   • Uses:
     • bullet proof vests
     • knife safe gloves
     • military helmets
   • made of very long strands of strong plastic material that is woven to make a mat
   • the matting acts like a strong net whic can stop a knife and even a bullet
   • lighter, stronger and tougher then CRP

4. Carbon Fibre

   • Simular to GRP
   • set in plastic resin
   • stronger than GRP able to withstand high tensile loads
   • Expensive, time-consuming, highly skilled process, lots of wastage
   • made layer by layer carbon fibre - resin - carbon fibre...
   • uses:
     • aircraft structures
     • sports equipment
     • racing cars
     • cars
   • light in weight

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