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The Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite is a combination of a polymer
(plastic) matrix (either a thermoplastic or thermoset resin, such as polyester,
isopolyester, vinyl ester, epoxy or phenolic) and a reinforcing agent such as glass, carbon,
aramid or other reinforcing materials.
In the broadest form, composites are materials that consist of two or
more constituents. The constituents are combined to retain their individual physical
phases and do not dissolve in each other or form a new chemical compound. One
constituent is called the reinforcing phase and the one in which the reinforcing phase is
embedded is called the matrix. Historical or natural examples of composites are
abundant—brick made of clay reinforced with straw, mud wall with bamboo shoot
concrete, concrete reinforced with steel rebar, granite consisting of quartz, mica and
feldspar, wood (cellulose fibers in lignin matrix), etc. With the increase of the needs of
the mankind, intensifying the quest for more beneficial use and utilization of
available resources and use of composite structures have become increasingly important
factors in engineering design. Composites of high performance fibers and a range
of polymeric, metallic or ceramic matrices have enabled many engineering
achievements. Composite structures are becoming increasingly more significant in a number
of engineering fields for novel applications. They meet stringent requirements, such
as satisfactory performance even at high temperature, pressure, corrosive
environment or high stress.
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