Composite Materials

Question 1

What are composite materials?

Answer 1

Materials made from two or more different materials that combine the properties of the materials they are made from

Question 2

How are GRP and CRP made?

Answer 2

1. Stainless steel mould coated with the gel coat; first resin layer
2. Glass fibre or carbon fibre is laid on top
3. Another coat applied to gel coat and worked into the structure
4. Repeated until desired thickness and strength of material is achieved
   This is a very labour intensive process

Question 3

Glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP)

Answer 3

Matting covered with smooth plastic resin
Set hard - high gloss finish
Easy to manufacture complex shapes with a mould
Lightweight corrosion resistant and chemical resistant
used to make boat hulls, car body parts, storage tanks, seating, helmets etc

Question 4

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP)

Answer 4

Cloth woven from individual strands - provides aesthetic
Vinyl decals can be added
High strength to weight ratio
Good tensile strength, not good compressive strength
Very expensive
Manufacture labour intensive and skilled process
Used in supercars and sports cars, top end sports equipment and being developed for prosthetics