Marine Applications of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract

Composite materials are formed by bringing together two or more materials that are insolublein each other at a macro level. Composites consist of two main elements such as reinforcement (thecarrier) and matrix (the binder). These materials are generally classified according to matrix andreinforcement elements. In the classification made according to the matrix element, polymer, metal, andceramic matrix composites are examined. In this classification, polymer matrix composites are widelyused in practice. A polymer matrix from the thermoset or thermoplastic group is reinforced with varioustypes of continuous or short fibers. Composites belonging to this group are widely used in basic sectorssuch as automotive, aviation, and marine. Especially in the marine sector, polymer matrix composites areused in the construction of marine vehicles (ships, boats, yachts, etc.) and equipment. Marine systems andstructures include the hull and shipbuilding industries (ship and submarine masts, propellers, and interiorparts), the offshore applications industry (gas pipelines, tendons, and support structures), and therenewable energy sector (turbine devices and rotor blades). The importance of lightweight design isincreasing day by day in vehicles used in land, air, and sea transportation. Today, the increase in the valueof both safety and energy savings causes research on composite materials to intensify in the marinesector. It is advantageous to use composite materials in many parts so that negative environmental effectssuch as corrosion, biological pollution, seawater aging, and hydrostatic pressure cause minimal damage tomarine structures. With the developments in composite science, the level of use of these materials isincreasing in the marine sector, as in every other field. This review presents an overview of the use ofpolymer matrix composites in the marine industry.