45
2
developed. As a result, high-performance composites are
expensive. It is essential to develop newer technologies to
bring down the cost of raw materials and processing. Of
course, designers need to look at various advantages of
composites vis-à-vis the cost [33]. During the energy-crisis
period of the 1970s, automobile manufacturers were so
anxious to reduce vehicle weight that they were willing to pay
a premium for composites for their advantage having lower
weight. However, as soon as society’s worry about energy
efficiency diminished, the industry gradually returned to a
strict lowest-cost approach in selecting materials. Hence, the
market for composites in automobiles returned to a more
modest rate of growth. Although composites have been used
extensively in structural applications, the long-term durability
of these materials is less than that of steel or other traditional
structural materials.
2.3 Applications of Polymeric Composites
The applications of polymeric composites are diverse and have a
deep outreach into society. They find applications in all industrial
sectors ranging from space shuttles and fighter aircraft to furniture
and bathtubs. In an ever-growing worldwide market of over 50,000
different types of components, it is nearly impossible to provide a
complete list of the applications of composites. However, some of
the applications classified according to major market segments are
mentioned here.
2.3.1 Agriculture
Containers and enclosures, equipment components, feed troughs,
fencing, partitions, flooring, staging, silos, and tanks used for agriculture may be made of composites. Today greenhouses are constructed using glass CSM-reinforced polyester resins. The inherent
UV resistance of polyester provides UV stability and durability to
the greenhouse. The greenhouses are made of CSM or polyester
composites. A typical greenhouse in the Netherlands is shown in
. Fig. 2.16.
2.3.2 Aviation
The use of fibre-reinforced composites has become an increasingly
attractive alternative to conventional metals for many aircraft components, mainly due to their increased strength, durability, corrosion resistance, resistance to fatigue, and damage tolerance. Boeing
is developing a composite wing with a length of 233 ft. for their
Boeing 777X aircraft. It is going to be the largest wing made so far
in composites’ history. Composites are used in the construction of
2.3 · Applications of Polymeric Composites
2
developed. As a result, high-performance composites are
expensive. It is essential to develop newer technologies to
bring down the cost of raw materials and processing. Of
course, designers need to look at various advantages of
composites vis-à-vis the cost [33]. During the energy-crisis
period of the 1970s, automobile manufacturers were so
anxious to reduce vehicle weight that they were willing to pay
a premium for composites for their advantage having lower
weight. However, as soon as society’s worry about energy
efficiency diminished, the industry gradually returned to a
strict lowest-cost approach in selecting materials. Hence, the
market for composites in automobiles returned to a more
modest rate of growth. Although composites have been used
extensively in structural applications, the long-term durability
of these materials is less than that of steel or other traditional
structural materials.
2.3 Applications of Polymeric Composites
The applications of polymeric composites are diverse and have a
deep outreach into society. They find applications in all industrial
sectors ranging from space shuttles and fighter aircraft to furniture
and bathtubs. In an ever-growing worldwide market of over 50,000
different types of components, it is nearly impossible to provide a
complete list of the applications of composites. However, some of
the applications classified according to major market segments are
mentioned here.
2.3.1 Agriculture
Containers and enclosures, equipment components, feed troughs,
fencing, partitions, flooring, staging, silos, and tanks used for agriculture may be made of composites. Today greenhouses are constructed using glass CSM-reinforced polyester resins. The inherent
UV resistance of polyester provides UV stability and durability to
the greenhouse. The greenhouses are made of CSM or polyester
composites. A typical greenhouse in the Netherlands is shown in
. Fig. 2.16.
2.3.2 Aviation
The use of fibre-reinforced composites has become an increasingly
attractive alternative to conventional metals for many aircraft components, mainly due to their increased strength, durability, corrosion resistance, resistance to fatigue, and damage tolerance. Boeing
is developing a composite wing with a length of 233 ft. for their
Boeing 777X aircraft. It is going to be the largest wing made so far
in composites’ history. Composites are used in the construction of
2.3 · Applications of Polymeric Composites