Reinforced Plastics Durability

Reinforced plastics are becoming widely adopted for long-term structural use-in everything from buildings and bridges to boats and swimming pools. However, the lifetimes being sought are far greater than the whole history of reinforced plastics production! Reinforced Plastics Durability explores the strength and weathering characteristics which make the material ideal for numerous applications, but also alerting the user of wear and corrosion-with studies of the processes and mechanisms which cause the deterioration. Written especially for first-time users of reinforced plastics-engineers, designers, and managers alike-Reinforced Plastics Durability offers substantial introductory information with key concepts. Subsequent chapters examine the long-term threats to the integrity of reinforced plastics: outdoor weathering, solvent/water attack, high temperatures, and repetitive stress. To maximize durability, contributors to the book report on experience with specific applications over time; the possibility of repair; and use of computer techniques to predict durability. Despite mentioning many possible threats to durability, Reinforced Plastics Durability emphasizes the fact that reinforced plastics composites have performed very well in most of the application areas. Readers will be able to take advantage of that success-and to possibly take steps toward the next phase of refinements and improvements.

The result of the authors' 40 years of experience in durability testing, this book describes the advanced testing methodology based on the viscoelasticity of matrix polymer. After a short introduction to the viscoelastic behavior of fiber-reinforced plastics, the text goes on to review in detail the concepts of static, fatigue and creep strengths in polymer composites. An application-oriented approach is adopted such that the concepts developed in the book are applied to real-life examples. Indispensable information for materials scientists and engineers working in those industrial sectors is concerned with the development and safe use of polymer composite-based products.

"Koyanagi presents a concise and practical guide to using a micromechanics approach to predict the strength and durability of unidirectionally aligned continuum carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs). As the use of composite materials in becomes more widespread in various fields, material durability is becoming an increasingly important consideration, particularly with regard to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Using more durable composite materials would help with achieving these goals. Because the failure of composite materials proceeds via the accumulation of micro failures and micro damage, a micromechanics approach is indispensable for estimating precise durability. In this practical guide, Koyanagi describes this approach and explains the precise durability of the composite materials with regard to the time dependence of micro failures. This book first explains the strength and durability of unidirectionally aligned continuum CFRPs. It then individually addresses fiber, resin, and the interface between the two on the basis of their micromechanics and introduces these components' time and temperature dependences. Koyanagi uses finite element analysis and theoretical models to integrate the characteristics of the three components to explain the macro properties of the CFRPs. Various characteristics regarding strength and durability of CFRPs are also presented. This book is a valuable resource for researchers in academia and industry who work with composite materials. It will enable them to design composite structures, ensure their durability, evaluate them, and develop more durable composite materials"--

In this book, the authors have assembled a systematic set of design parameters describing short and long term mechanical, thermal, electrical, fire and environmental performance, etc. for composites based primarily on continuous glass, aramid and carbon fibres in thermosetting and thermoplastic matrices.

The Handbook of Reinforced Plastics is a complete and practical manual for specifying and selecting reinforced plastic products and services. The handbook covers all materials and classes of equipment currently available, with over 550 pages of editorial, illustrations and tables.

Introduction -- Reinforcements -- Plastics -- Compound constructions -- Fabricating processes -- Markets/Products -- Designs -- Engineering analysis -- Selecting plastic and process -- Summary -- Conversions.

The new second edition of Reinforced Plastics Handbookhas been completely revised and updated to reflect changes, new techniques and components and provides new information including:-Thermosetting resins: polyesters, vinyl esters, high performance resins.-Reinforced thermoplastics: low warpage, hydrolysis-resistant grades, new forms of glass fibre, natural resins and fibres.-Major extensions on liquid crystal polymers, long fibre reinforced thermoplastics, polyurethanes and core materials.-Major additions to moulding/processing technology: latest developments in RTM, SCRIMP.-An enlarged chapter on design and applications to include extended data on sandwich constructions and polyureathane (reinforced reaction injection moulding).-The latest legislation including consumer safety (flame retardency, toxicity) and safety in the workplace (styrene emission control, solvents, low dust reduced allergy materials).