Polymer Matrix Composites - Typical Properties of Fibre Reinforced Plastics

Standard Properties of FRP’s

The following can be considered as the ‘standard’ properties typically exhibited by an FRP composites component.

•         High strength at low weight

•         Ability to tailor properties to meet wide-ranging performance specifications

•         Moulding to close dimensional tolerances, with their retention under in-service conditions

•         Good impact, compression, fatigue and electrical properties

•         Ability to markedly reduce part assembly

•         Excellent environmental resistance

•         Ability to fabricate massive one-piece mouldings

•         Proven in-service track record

•         Low-to-moderate tooling costs

•         Cost-effective manufacturing processes

•         Ability to build in, ex-mould, both colour and texture

•         Excellent chemical and corrosion resistance

•         High ultra-violet radiation stability

•         Good-to-excellent fire hardness

•         Good structural integrity

•         Good thermal insulation

•         Ability to attenuate sound

•         Respectable abrasion resistance

•         Ready bonding to dissimilar materials

•         Medium-to-high productivity rates

Properties of FRP’s That Can be Improved

The following additional properties can readily be provided by reinforcement and/or matrix alteration, chemical addition or other formulation, material, or fabrication alteration.

•         Excellent chemical and corrosion resistance

•         High ultra-violet radiation stability

•         Good-to-excellent fire hardness

•         Good structural integrity

•         Good thermal insulation

•         Ability to attenuate sound

•         Respectable abrasion resistance

•         Ready bonding to dissimilar materials

•         Medium-to-high productivity rates

Typical Properties of E-Glass Chopped Fibre Reinforced Polyester Resin

Typical properties of E-glass chopped strand Mat/Unsaturated polyester resin at various glass contents.

Resin: Glass Ratio (by wt)

1.855

2

2.25

2.5

2.75

3

Wt Frac. (%)

35.03

33.33

30.77

28.57

26.67

25.00

Vol Frac Fibre (%)

20.24

19.05

17.30

15.84

14.61

13.56

Laminate thickness (mm)

1.94

2.06

2.27

2.48

2.68

2.89

Tensile Str (N/mm2)

103

97

88

81

75

69

Tensile Mod. (N/mm2)

7224

6800

6175

5655

5216

4641

Typical Properties of E-Glass Woven Roving Reinforced Polyester Resin

Typical properties of E-glass woven roving/unsaturated polyester resin at various glass contents.

Resin: Glass Ratio (by wt)

0.85

1

1.15

1.3

1.5

1.65

Wt Frac. (%)

54.1

50.0

46.5

43.5

40.0

37.7

Vol Frac Fibre (%)

35.6

32.0

29.0

26.6

23.9

22.2

Laminate thickness (mm)

1.10

1.23

1.35

1.48

1.64

1.77

Tensile Str (N/mm2)

227

204

185

169

152

141

Tensile Mod. (N/mm2)

14539

13056

11848

10844

9743

9054

Source: FRP Composites, What are They & Why are They Used?, Composites Processing Association

For more information on this source please visit Composites Processing Association

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.