Glass fiber composite materials are mainly divided into two types: thermosetting composite materials (FRP) and thermoplastic composite materials (FRT). Thermosetting composite materials mainly use thermosetting resins such as unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, etc. as the matrix, while thermoplastic composite materials mainly use polypropylene resin (PP) and polyamide (PA). Thermoplasticity refers to the ability to achieve flowability even after processing, solidification, and cooling, and to be processed and formed again. Thermoplastic composite materials have a high investment threshold, but their production process is highly automated and their products can be recycled, gradually replacing thermosetting composite materials.
Glass fiber composite materials have been widely used in various fields due to their lightweight, high strength, and good insulation performance. The following mainly introduces its application fields and scope.
(1) Transportation field
Due to the continuous expansion of urban scale, the transportation problems between cities and intercity areas urgently need to be solved. It is urgent to build a transportation network mainly composed of subways and intercity railways. Glass fiber composite materials are constantly increasing in high-speed trains, subways, and other rail transit systems. It is also widely used in automobile manufacturing, such as body, door, hood, interior parts, electronic and electrical components, which can reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel efficiency, and have good impact resistance and safety performance. With the continuous development of glass fiber reinforced material technology, the application prospects of glass fiber composite materials in automotive lightweight are also becoming more and more widespread.
(2) Aerospace field
Due to their high strength and lightweight characteristics, they are widely used in the aerospace field. For example, aircraft fuselage, wing surfaces, tail wings, floors, seats, radomes, helmets, and other components are used to improve aircraft performance and fuel efficiency. Only 10% of the body materials of the initially developed Boeing 777 aircraft used composite materials. Nowadays, about half of the advanced Boeing 787 aircraft bodies use composite materials. An important indicator to determine whether the aircraft is advanced is the application of composite materials in the aircraft. Glass fiber composite materials also have special functions such as wave transmission and flame retardancy. Therefore, there is still great potential for development in the aerospace field.
(3) Construction field
In the field of architecture, it is used to make structural components such as wall panels, roofs, and window frames. It can also be used to reinforce and repair concrete structures, improve the seismic performance of buildings, and can be used for bathrooms, swimming pools, and other purposes. In addition, due to its excellent processing performance, glass fiber composite materials are an ideal free form surface modeling material and can be used in the field of aesthetic architecture. For example, the top of the Bank of America Plaza Building in Atlanta has a striking golden spire, a unique structure made of fiberglass composite materials.
(4) Chemical industry
Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, it is widely used in the manufacturing of equipment such as tanks, pipelines, and valves to improve the service life and safety of the equipment.
(5) Consumer goods and commercial facilities
Industrial gears, industrial and civilian gas cylinders, laptop and mobile phone casings, and components for household appliances.
(6) Infrastructure
As essential infrastructure for national economic growth, bridges, tunnels, railways, ports, highways, and other facilities are facing structural problems globally due to their versatility, corrosion resistance, and high load requirements. Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites have played a huge role in the construction, renovation, reinforcement, and repair of infrastructure.
(7) Electronic appliances
Due to its excellent electrical insulation and corrosion resistance, it is mainly used for electrical enclosures, electrical components and components, transmission lines, including composite cable supports, cable trench supports, etc.
(8) Sports and leisure field
Due to its lightweight, high strength, and greatly increased design freedom, it has been applied in photovoltaic sports equipment, such as snowboards, tennis rackets, badminton rackets, bicycles, motorboats, etc.
(9) Wind power generation field
Wind energy is a sustainable energy source, with its biggest characteristics being renewable, pollution-free, large reserves, and widely distributed. Wind turbine blades are the most important component of wind turbines, so the requirements for wind turbine blades are high. They must meet the requirements of high strength, corrosion resistance, light weight, and long service life. As glass fiber composite materials can meet the above performance requirements, they have been widely used in the production of wind turbine blades worldwide, In the field of power infrastructure, glass fiber composite materials are mainly used for composite poles, composite insulators, etc.
(11) Photovoltaic border
In the context of the "dual carbon" development strategy, the green energy industry has become a hot and key focus of national economic development, including the photovoltaic industry. Recently, there has been substantial progress in the use of glass fiber composite materials for photovoltaic frames. If aluminum profiles can be partially replaced in the field of photovoltaic frames, it will be a major event for the glass fiber industry. Offshore photovoltaic power stations require photovoltaic module materials to have strong salt spray corrosion resistance. Aluminum is a reactive metal with poor resistance to salt spray corrosion, while composite materials have no galvanic corrosion, making them a good technical solution in offshore photovoltaic power stations.
Post time: Nov-07-2023
