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Fiber-Reinforced Plastic

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Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) is a composite material manufactured specially by a combination of a polymer matrix and fibers. The fibers provide toughness and structural strength to the flexible plastic and reinforce it to produce a composite material that has incredibly high strength but is very lightweight. The FRP composite material has significantly different properties from any of its constituent materials. The composition of fiber and plastic (or polymer) generates a material that is stronger, more flexible, and more durable than any of the constituent materials. FRP has been considered a useful material in the construction of various components in the manufacturing, construction, and industrial sector due to its unique properties and qualities. The various benefits offered by FRP are high strength, lightweight, short production time, durability, corrosion resistance, and cost savings in the long run. 

How is Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Manufactured?

The manufacturing of FRP involves two distinct processes. These are as follows:

  1. The first step is the process of the manufacturing and formation of fiber material. The fibers are obtained from glass, carbon, basalt, and at times from paper, wood, or asbestos. 
  2. The second step is the process of binding the fibrous materials with a matrix of polymer or plastic such as epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester matrix to form the FRP. 

The nature of fiber and plastic depends on the target properties to be achieved in the composite output material. The fiber is used to provide stiffness and the polymer provides superior support and flexibility between fibers and makes the material resistant to exposure to dynamic environmental conditions like heat, cold, rain, and dust. 

Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) 

Advantages of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP):

Fiber-reinforced plastics are very lightweight materials but at the same time maintain high strength. This twofold advantage makes the FRP best suited for many applications. It is used in designing components that demand less weight, precision design, fine tolerances, and simplification in both production and operation. It can be conveniently molded to produce shapes in a cheaper, faster, and easier way as compared to other metallic elements. This material maintains similar and sometimes better tolerances and material strengths than conventional materials like steel and aluminum or even concrete. Fiber reinforced polymer composite materials have wide applications in reinforced concrete structures such as building and bridge columns due to their improved strength and sustainability. It is proven to be a reliable and cost-effective option for designers and manufacturers to replace conventional materials in the industry sectors for its expansive range of benefits. Some of the advantages of FRP are mentioned as follows:

  • Lightweight  Compared To Most Metals: Suitable for parts that require weight savings
  • Corrosion-Resistant: Provides high longevity even exposure to chemicals 
  • High Impact Strength: Prevents damage 
  • Electrical Insulation: Easily used as insulating material
  • Easy Installation: Saves time and cost
  • Low Maintenance: Saves operational cost, maintains efficiency, and avoids quick failures
  • Exceptional Durability: Can be used for a long-term purpose
  • Low Cost compared to Competitive Materials: Improves cost-effectiveness in manufacturing
  • Waterproof: Suitable to use even with exposure to moisture and rain
  • Resistant to Fungus and Bacterial Growth: Maintains durability even under diverse climatic conditions
  • Easily Recyclable: Eco-friendly and prevents environmental pollution
  • Long Service Life: Suitable for long-term use saving cost

FRP typically has a low weight and high strength, with good impact and compression properties, making them attractive to several trades, including the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.

Applications of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic In The Automobile Industry:

FRPs are considered metal substitutes for their high strength and lightweight and are used in the manufacturing of bodies of automobiles, trucks, and trailers. The application of FRP material reduces the weight of the car enabling it to go faster and improving the fuel-efficiency and mileage. It has the potential to reduce greenhouse gasses and other emissions while maintaining environmental pollution control. The latest innovation of carbon fiber-based FRPs has provided significant benefits in the automotive industry where their high cost can be compensated by the composite material’s strength and weight advantages. The lighter weight material is used to replace the metal panels in the body parts of high-value cars and racing cars, making the vehicles lighter as well as more fuel efficient. The latest trend in the application is the use of fiberglass reinforced plastics products in the automobile mainly in the bottom of the car which has shown some effective results in terms of cost and efficiency.

Application Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) In The Aviation Industry:

Composite FRP materials allow the construction of lighter and simply structured components which are suitable for the aviation industry and increase the efficiency of airplanes. This material can also be shaped in required forms in a much easier way than its metal counterparts. It also reduces maintenance aspects of aircraft because of fewer additional joints, fasteners, or junctions. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics are used in aircraft manufacturing for their advantages of strength, lightweight, high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, stiffness, tolerance to fluctuating temperatures, and low thermal expansion properties. FRP is the best choice when a high strength-to-weight ratio is required which is a basic requirement for aviation components. 

Important data About Fiber-Reinforced-Plastic:

  • Carbon-FRP offers a 25% reduction in weight compared to aluminum.
  • FRP components in commercial airplanes offer 20% weight savings on average compared to more conventional aluminum designs. 

Conclusion:

Fiber-reinforced plastics or fiber-reinforced polymers are getting acknowledged in different industrial sectors as an alternative to metal due to their high stiffness, low weight, and resistance to corrosion, fatigue, and chemicals. The combined effect of fiber and plastic offers the properties that help make molded parts in a cheaper, quicker and easier way.  


Last Updated : 05 Sep, 2022
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