Driving scaleable solutions for fiber-reinforced plastic surface preparation

Abstract

The lightweight and high strength of glass and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composites (FRPs) have been exploited in a wide range of engineering applications from aircraft wings and wind turbine blades to monocoques in racing cars. In recent years the automotive sector has focussed heavily on the integration of lightweight materials into vehicle design in light of the legislation for low carbon emissions and improved fuel economy. Issues surrounding how the manufacture and processing of these materials can be adapted for a volume production environment are currently hurdles that must be overcome if mass adoption is to become a reality.