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M. A. M. Shuhaimi et al.
26.1 Introduction
Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) or Fibre-reinforced plastic, is a composite material
made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. Instead of paper, wood or asbestos
being utilised, there are other available options such as glass, carbon or aramid. The
polymer used is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic, and
phenol formaldehyde resins. FRPs are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive,
marine and construction industries [1, 2].
Most composites have strong and stiff fibres in a matrix which is weaker and
less stiff. Composite materials are engineered or naturally taking place of two
or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical
properties which remain separate and distinct within the finished structure. Glass
fibre-reinforced epoxy composites result in a smart combination of physical and
mechanical properties which cannot be obtained by monolithic materials [1, 3, 5].
The combination of the fibre and metal composite technology combines the advantages of metallic materials and fibre-reinforced matrix systems. Metals are isotropic
because they have a high bearing strength and impact resistance and are easy to repair.
Full composites have an excellent fatigue characteristic and have high strength and
stiffness [2, 4]. By combining these two materials, an improved material with high
strength and stiffness can be achieved.
The composite materials are widely used due to vast availability and cost-effective
material processes. The interest was focused on lightweight materials with a strength
improvement for marine application. The combination of the composite material or
FRP with the metal gives a new characteristic of the material.
26.2 Materials and Methods
26.2.1 Materials
The fibreglass material epoxy resin and perforated material had been used for fabrication of the hybrid material composite. This selection of material in this experiment
is the important part because the data will be compared to marine rules for composite
boats. All the materials used are marine grade including the E glass type fibreglass,
epoxy resin and perforated marine sheet metal.
26.2.2 Fabrication and Testing of Composites
An infusion resin system was used as fabrication technique for this hybrid material.
These stages can be divided into three sections which covers the flat panel fabrication,
specimen preparation and product testing.
M. A. M. Shuhaimi et al.
26.1 Introduction
Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) or Fibre-reinforced plastic, is a composite material
made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. Instead of paper, wood or asbestos
being utilised, there are other available options such as glass, carbon or aramid. The
polymer used is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic, and
phenol formaldehyde resins. FRPs are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive,
marine and construction industries [1, 2].
Most composites have strong and stiff fibres in a matrix which is weaker and
less stiff. Composite materials are engineered or naturally taking place of two
or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical
properties which remain separate and distinct within the finished structure. Glass
fibre-reinforced epoxy composites result in a smart combination of physical and
mechanical properties which cannot be obtained by monolithic materials [1, 3, 5].
The combination of the fibre and metal composite technology combines the advantages of metallic materials and fibre-reinforced matrix systems. Metals are isotropic
because they have a high bearing strength and impact resistance and are easy to repair.
Full composites have an excellent fatigue characteristic and have high strength and
stiffness [2, 4]. By combining these two materials, an improved material with high
strength and stiffness can be achieved.
The composite materials are widely used due to vast availability and cost-effective
material processes. The interest was focused on lightweight materials with a strength
improvement for marine application. The combination of the composite material or
FRP with the metal gives a new characteristic of the material.
26.2 Materials and Methods
26.2.1 Materials
The fibreglass material epoxy resin and perforated material had been used for fabrication of the hybrid material composite. This selection of material in this experiment
is the important part because the data will be compared to marine rules for composite
boats. All the materials used are marine grade including the E glass type fibreglass,
epoxy resin and perforated marine sheet metal.
26.2.2 Fabrication and Testing of Composites
An infusion resin system was used as fabrication technique for this hybrid material.
These stages can be divided into three sections which covers the flat panel fabrication,
specimen preparation and product testing.