Fiberglass

Glass-reinforced plastic, GRP short (English GRP = glass- fiber reinforced plastic ), is a fiber -plastic composite made ​​of a plastic and fiberglass. As base thermosetting (e.g., polyester resin (UP) or epoxy resin ) or thermoplastic (for example nylon ) resins are also suitable.

Continuous glass fibers were first produced industrially in the U.S. as reinforcing fibers 1935. The mass production was developed in the 1930s from Games Slayter ( Owens Corning) and other - then the material served primarily as insulation of houses. The first aircraft of GRP was the Fs 24 Phoenix Akaflieg Stuttgart in the year 1957.

GRP is colloquially known as fiberglass. The word is a fiberglass anglicism that has formed from fiberglass (AE ) or fiberglass (BE), the English word for fiber. In the non- professional world is often spoken only of the fibers when of fiberglass or carbon fiber reinforced plastic ( CFRP) is mentioned. But is always the fiber-reinforced plastics meant, because without the creative and surface imaging plastic matrix, the components would not be produced.

  • 3.1 Short - and long-fiber- reinforced components
  • 3.2 continuous fiber reinforced components

Properties and applications

Fiber type: E-glass fiber Matrix Type: Epoxy Fiber volume fraction of 60 % all the details are characteristic Averages

Glass-reinforced plastics are a cost-effective and yet very high-quality fiber -plastic composite. In mechanically highly stressed applications there is glass fiber reinforced plastic exclusively as a continuous fiber in tissues or in UD tapes.

Compared to fiber-plastic composites from other reinforcing fibers of glass fiber reinforced plastic has a relatively low modulus of elasticity. Even in the fiber direction, it is lower than that of aluminum. High stiffness requirements it is therefore not suitable. An advantage of the glass fiber in the composite with a suitable plastic matrix lies in the high elongation at break and the elastic energy absorption. Therefore it is especially suitable for leaf springs and similar components.

Glass-reinforced plastic has an excellent corrosion behavior in aggressive environments. This makes it a suitable material for containers in the plant or on boat hulls. The density of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is higher than the taken into account in these applications.

With a suitable matrix fiber reinforced plastic has good electrical insulation properties, which makes it a good material useful electrical engineering. Especially insulators that have to transfer high mechanical loads are made ​​of fiberglass reinforced plastic. Enclosures for outdoor use are often made ​​of fiberglass because of the durability and stability of the material.

Market situation

In 2012, the following amounts were processed ( in kilotons ) of glass fiber reinforced plastic in Europe:

  • Containers and pipes, mainly in filament winding and centrifugal method: 147
  • GMT and LFT (see fiber-matrix semi-finished products ): 108
  • Continuous process, such as pultrusion 125
  • RTM: 120
  • Presses of SMC and BMC: 258
  • Process with an open form, such as hand lay-up or spray-up: 235
  • Other methods: 17

A total of 1,010,000 tons of glass fiber reinforced plastic in Europe were processed in 2012 (Source: AVK ).

Varieties

Some typical varieties of glass-fiber -reinforced plastics are:

Typical components

Short - and long-fiber- reinforced components

A short fiber reinforced components are primarily used as cladding, or be made ​​because of the good formability and great freedom of design. A short fiber reinforced components usually have a quasi-isotropic behavior, since the short fibers are randomly distributed. A weak orthotropy can occur during injection molding of short fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The fibers are oriented towards along the flow lines. The addition of short glass fibers to thermoplastic materials to improve the stiffness, strength, and in particular its performance at high temperatures. The creep of short fiber reinforced thermoplastics is less than that of the base material.

Continuous fiber reinforced components

Continuous fiber reinforced components are produced with defined material properties. More and more often, they are used in lightweight construction.

  • Fiberglass woven or laid
  • GRP from rovings or unidirectional fabrics / Set (made in the extrusion process )
  • Hybrids of the above types

In this case, as a matrix usually used thermosets. For example, a composite material of woven glass fiber mats and polyester resin is known as fiberglass.

Applications (selection)

  • Reinforcement in concrete construction
  • Leaf springs
  • Vehicle parts ( eg, hoods, fenders )
  • Cases and Umwandungen
  • Small moldings
  • Climbing aids for façade greening with climbing plants
  • Profiles and reinforcement
  • Rotor blades for wind turbines
  • Hulls and glider wings or high- powered aircraft
  • Hulls of boats and yachts
  • Playground slides / slides
  • Cladding and facades
  • Limbs for crossbows
  • Boom for tram wires

Problems in the manufacture and processing of

In the curing of the resins of styrene vapors are released. These irritate the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Therefore, the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances writes an occupational exposure limit (OEL ) of 86 mg / m³ ago. In certain concentrations may even occur a potentially explosive mixture. In the further processing of GRP components (grinding, cutting, sawing ) arise fine dusts and chips with glassy filaments and sticky dust in substantial quantities. These affect the health of people and the functionality of the machines and equipment. This occupational safety regulations are adhered to and the economy can be sustained to ensure the installation of effective extraction and filtration equipment is needed.

Fibre-reinforced plastic British English Sheet moulding compound Bulk moulding compound National Electrical Manufacturers Association Orthotropic material Threshold limit value
267849
de