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Composite materials are, as the name suggests, a composition of different materials which when properly combined form a different material. Depending on the combination, a variety of properties can be achieved. Wood is a good example, fibers are held together by the resin and sap. Reinforced concrete is another, the steel provides the strength and the concrete transfers the load between the bars.
FRP is so effective at strengthening concrete, masonry, wood and steel for a number of reasons. The fibers, which provide the strength are very small (7 microns) which allows us to place a large amount of them in a very small area. Fiber-Bond™ Carbon fiber contains over 5 million fibers per square inch with a dry tensile strength of 650 Ksi. The finished laminate is anisotropic, the fiber layers can be orientated in any direction (even in the Z direction) which allows the engineer complete flexibility in the design.
The epoxy resin is the real key to the system and serves a number of functions. The primer is designed to penetrate the substrate which not only strengthens it but also provides a progressive bond area. The epoxy putty and laminating resin are designed for maximum adhesion to the surface and to each fiber. This allows the transfer of shear forces uniformly through the fibers ensuring that all of the laminate layer is working.
Edge Structural Composites have developed and extensively tested a number of resin systems, each of which is designed to provide maximum properties in a variety of different environments. For high temperature applications up to 120°F we have a slower curing resin. Another, faster resin is used for low temperature application and freeze thaw. Yet another is for use entirely underwater or in splash zones.
The Fiber-Bond™ resin system was developed exclusively for these applications and is not an 'off the shelf' resin. Our in house resin department is able to custom blend a resin to suit any environment, resistance to particular chemicals is one example. The resin is also environment friendly with very low odor and toxicity allowing it's application in occupied structures.
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