Introduction to FRP

FRP is a glass fiber reinforced plastic, commonly known as FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics), which is a fiber reinforced composite plastic. According to the different fibers used, it is divided into glass fiber reinforced composite plastic (GFRP), carbon fiber reinforced composite plastic (CFRP), boron fiber reinforced composite plastic and so on. It is a composite material of glass fiber and its products (glass cloth, belt, felt, yarn, etc.) as a reinforcing material and synthetic resin as a base material.

The fiber reinforced composite material is composed of reinforcing fibers and a matrix. The diameter of the fiber (or whisker) is very small, generally below 10 μm, the defect is small and small, and the strain at break is about 30 parts per thousand. It is a brittle material, which is easily damaged, broken and corroded. The matrix has much lower strength and modulus than the fiber, but it can withstand large strains, often has viscoelasticity and elastoplasticity, and is a ductile material.

The concept of composite material means that one material cannot meet the requirements of use, and it is necessary to combine two or more materials to form another material that can meet people's requirements, that is, composite material. For example, a single type of glass fiber, although high in strength, is loose between fibers, can only withstand tensile forces, cannot withstand bending, shearing, and compressive stress, and is not easily formed into a fixed geometry, and is a soft body. If they are bonded together by synthetic resin, they can be made into a variety of rigid articles with a fixed shape that can withstand tensile stress and withstand bending, compression and shear stress.

This constitutes a glass fiber reinforced plastic matrix composite. Because its strength is equivalent to steel and glass components, it also has the color, shape, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, heat insulation and other properties of glass. Like glass, it has historically formed this easy-to-understand name "FRP". This term was proposed by the former Minister of Construction and Materials Industry Lai Jifa in 1958. It was expanded from the building materials system to the whole country and is now widely used. It can be seen that the meaning of FRP refers to the reinforced plastics made of glass fiber as reinforcing material and synthetic resin as binder. It is called glass fiber reinforced plastic in foreign countries.

With the development of China's FRP industry, as a plastic-based reinforcement material, it has been expanded from glass fiber to carbon fiber, boron fiber, aramid fiber, alumina fiber and silicon carbide fiber. Undoubtedly, these new fiber made of reinforced plastic , is a high-performance fiber reinforced composite material, and the common name of glass fiber reinforced plastic can not be summarized. Considering the origin and development of history, FRP composites are usually used, so the name is more comprehensive.