CE 2101: Engineering Materials: Rumana Afrin

CE 2101: Engineering Materials
PART –B [1.5 Credits]
Lecture 5
Rumana Afrin
Assistant Professor,
Department of Civil Engineering, United International University
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites
Topics:
•Basic property of FRP composites;
•Applications in Civil Engineering
Definition
An FRP is a specific type of two-component composite material
consisting of high strength fibers embedded in a polymer
matrix.
• Combination of two or more materials to form a new and

useful materials with enhanced properties in comparison to
thr individual constituents
• The fibers are mainly responsible for strength and stiffness

properties; the polymeric matrix contributes to load transfer
and provides environmental protection.
The Young’s modulus and tensile strength of composites are

lower than that of fibers alone.
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites
Potential advantages present in use of FRP composites such as:
• Higher strength
• Lighter weight
• Higher performance
• Longer lasting
• Rehabilitating existing structures and extending their life
• Seismic upgrades
• Defense systems
• Space systems
• Ocean environments
Fiber
❑ Many different types of fibers are available for use, and all have their respective advantages and
disadvantages.
❑ In civil engineering applications, the three most commonly used fiber types are -
• Glass,
• Carbon (graphite), and
• Aramid(Kevlar).
❑ The suitability of the various fibers for specific applications depends on a number of factors:
• The required strength,
• The stiffness
• Durability considerations,
• Cost constraints, and
• The availability of materials.
Glass Fiber
• Glass fibers are commonly produced by a process called direct melt. Produce with a diameter of 3to 25 microns .
• Glass fibers are used for the majority of composite application because they are cheaper than the others.
• There are different forms known by names like

E-glass (the most frequent used),
S-glass (is a stringer and stiffer fiber with a greater corrosion resistance),
R-glass (is a higher tensile strength and modulus and greater resistance to fatigue and aging) and
AR-glass (an alkali-resistant glass used to reinforce concrete).
The main characteristics of glass fibers are their high tensile strengths and moderate elastic
modulus. Glass fibers are, also, excellent thermal and electrical insulators
Glass fibers are particularly sensitive to moisture, especially in the presence of salts and elevated
alkalinity, and need to be well protected by the resin systems used in the FRP. Glass fibers are also
susceptible to creep rupture and lose strength under sustained stresses.
Carbon Fiber
• Carbon fibers are produced by a process called controlled pyrolysis. Produce with a diameters in the
range of 5-8microns.
• Several classes of carbon fibers are available, differentiated based on their elastic moduli:
Standard: 250-300 GPa,
Intermediate: 300-350 GPa,
High: 350-550GPa,
Ultra-High: 550-1000GPa.
• Carbon fibers are an ideal choice for structures which are weight and/or deflection sensitive.
The main characteristics of carbon fibers are their high elastic moduli and available strengths, their low
density (low weight),and their outstanding resistance to thermal, chemical,and environment effects and
they do not absorb moisture.
Glass fibers are considerably cheaper than carbon fibers but some forms of this fiber tend to be
very sensitive to the alkaline environments of concrete. Glass fibers also have a lower elastic
modulus than carbon fibers.
Considerably more expensive than glass fibers

Aramid Fiber
• Aramid fibers are manufactured from a synthetic compound called aromatic polyamide in a process
called extrusion and spinning.
• FRPs manufactured from aramid fibers have low compressive and shear strengths as a consequence of
the unique anisotropic properties of the fibers.
Their main characteristics are high strength, impact resistance due to their energy absorbing capacity
properties, moderate modulus and low density.
The fibers, themselves, are susceptible to degradation from ultraviolet light and moisture but exhibit
resistance to acids and alkalis.
Range of Properties for Fibers for FRP composites
Fiber Type Density Tensile strength Elastic Modulus

(kg/m3) (GPa) (GPa)
Glass 2.46 – 2.58 2.4 – 3.5 72 -87
Carbon 1.74 – 2.20 2.1 – 5.5 200 – 500
Aramid 1.39 – 1.47 3.1 -3.6 58 -130

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CE 2101: Engineering Materials

PART –B [1.5 Credits]

• Combination of two or more materials to form a new and

• The fibers are mainly responsible for strength and stiffness

The Young’s modulus and tensile strength of composites are

• There are different forms known by names like

Considerably more expensive than glass fibers

Fiber Type Density Tensile strength Elastic Modulus

Glass 2.46 – 2.58 2.4 – 3.5 72 -87

Carbon 1.74 – 2.20 2.1 – 5.5 200 – 500

Aramid 1.39 – 1.47 3.1 -3.6 58 -130

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