Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites: Classification, Chemical Treatment, Mechanical and Tribological Properties

Abstract

Composites are supposed to be the most promising and discriminating material available in this century. Presently, composites armoured with fibers of synthetic materials are gaining more significance as demands for lightweight materials with high potency for specific application are growing in the market. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites mainly comprise of high strength fibres embedded in polymer matrix keeping a distinct interface between them. In this FRP’s, the individual component keeps their distinct physical and chemical identities but they combine together to produce materials with excellent properties. Low density, high tensile strength and high modulus are the main characteristics of fibre reinforced polymer composites. The main factors that affect load carrying capacity are interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix, alignment of fibre in matrix and the nature of fibres. Here in this review a proportional account of the major synthetic and natural fibres as reinforcement for polymer composites as well as methods for enhancing mechanical properties are discussed. Composites reinforced with fibers of artificial materials are gaining more significance as demands for lightweight materials with high strong point for specific applications are being developing in the market.