The term, GFRP, stands for glass fiber reinforced polymer. It is what is known as a composite material, consisting as it does of a matrix of polymer that has been reinforced with fibers to give it strength. GFRP composite is used in many industries, including marine, automotive, construction, ballistic armor and aerospace.
In other types of reinforced polymer using other materials in place of fiber. These include aramid, carbon and basalt. Aramid is a synthetic, fiber that is resistant to heat. Occasionally, asbestos, paper or wood may be used. The polymer component of the material is generally a polyester thermosetting plastic, epoxy, or vinylester. A thermoset plastic is one that is a liquid or malleable solid at normal temperatures and irreversibly solidifies when exposed to high temperatures.
GFRP materials are used where light weight and strength are necessary, as in the aerospace industry. The Aloha Airlines incident that occurred in April of 1988 is an example where a material failed. A flight attendant was killed when she was swept overboard by an explosive decompression that tore a section off roof of the plane on the short hop between Hilo, Hawaii, and Honolulu. The incident caused injury to 65 passengers and crew.
Early maritime uses of GFRPs were confined to recreational water craft. This remained the status quo for three decades, when they began to make their way into more substantial marine uses. These materials are perfect for the maritime industry because they are impact and corrosion resistant, may be molded into complex shapes, they are cheap to produce, light in weight and are capable of damping vibrations.
Because of the same properties that make it favorable for marine use, GFRP is useful in the manufacture of high-performance automobiles. Incorporated into fiberglass trucks, its light weight means that a bigger payload may be transported. Fiberglass is also preferable to steel in a car crash. Fiberglass will contain the vibrations to a localized area, while steel will transfer the vibration, and hence the shock, throughout the vehicle.
Ballistic armor, with a substantial content of GFRP, has a number of different uses in civilian as well as military sectors. Not only does it protect assets such as vehicles and buildings, it is also used to protect people. Unlike other materials, like steel armor, fiberglass may be re-engineered in the field using simple power tools that area readily available.
Ballistic armor is used to protect courtrooms. This material resists richochet, which makes buildings that much safer when they encounter gun play. On television, at least, somebody or other is always shooting up a courtroom. Shows like Law and Order, Medium, CSi Las Vegas, and Special Victims Unit spring immediately to mind.
One of the best-known uses for reinforced polymers is in bullet-proof vests, generally in law enforcement and the military. A ballistic vest saved the life of Kate Todd, only to have her shot in the head by a sniper moments later. There have been several television episodes featuring cowboy vendors who sell defective armor to soldiers.
In other types of reinforced polymer using other materials in place of fiber. These include aramid, carbon and basalt. Aramid is a synthetic, fiber that is resistant to heat. Occasionally, asbestos, paper or wood may be used. The polymer component of the material is generally a polyester thermosetting plastic, epoxy, or vinylester. A thermoset plastic is one that is a liquid or malleable solid at normal temperatures and irreversibly solidifies when exposed to high temperatures.
GFRP materials are used where light weight and strength are necessary, as in the aerospace industry. The Aloha Airlines incident that occurred in April of 1988 is an example where a material failed. A flight attendant was killed when she was swept overboard by an explosive decompression that tore a section off roof of the plane on the short hop between Hilo, Hawaii, and Honolulu. The incident caused injury to 65 passengers and crew.
Early maritime uses of GFRPs were confined to recreational water craft. This remained the status quo for three decades, when they began to make their way into more substantial marine uses. These materials are perfect for the maritime industry because they are impact and corrosion resistant, may be molded into complex shapes, they are cheap to produce, light in weight and are capable of damping vibrations.
Because of the same properties that make it favorable for marine use, GFRP is useful in the manufacture of high-performance automobiles. Incorporated into fiberglass trucks, its light weight means that a bigger payload may be transported. Fiberglass is also preferable to steel in a car crash. Fiberglass will contain the vibrations to a localized area, while steel will transfer the vibration, and hence the shock, throughout the vehicle.
Ballistic armor, with a substantial content of GFRP, has a number of different uses in civilian as well as military sectors. Not only does it protect assets such as vehicles and buildings, it is also used to protect people. Unlike other materials, like steel armor, fiberglass may be re-engineered in the field using simple power tools that area readily available.
Ballistic armor is used to protect courtrooms. This material resists richochet, which makes buildings that much safer when they encounter gun play. On television, at least, somebody or other is always shooting up a courtroom. Shows like Law and Order, Medium, CSi Las Vegas, and Special Victims Unit spring immediately to mind.
One of the best-known uses for reinforced polymers is in bullet-proof vests, generally in law enforcement and the military. A ballistic vest saved the life of Kate Todd, only to have her shot in the head by a sniper moments later. There have been several television episodes featuring cowboy vendors who sell defective armor to soldiers.
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