composites

Question 1

what’s the definition for a composite?

Answer 1

two or more materials combined together by some form of bonding.

Question 2

why do we use composites?

Answer 2

improved mechanical, functional or aesthetic properties

Question 3

what is glass reinforced plastic

Answer 3

thermosetting plastic resin reinforced with very fine glass

Question 4

what are the two forms that glass can be in glass reinforced plastics

Answer 4

matting or strips

Question 5

what property of the resin does the glass improve in glass reinforced plastics?

Answer 5

tensile strength becomes improved

Question 6

what are two advantages of glass reinforced plastic?

Answer 6

-good strength to weight ratio
-very resistant to corrosion

Question 7

what is a disadvantage of glass reinforced plastic?

Answer 7

can be prone to osmosis. (where water can seep into the the GRP and cause it to delaminate.

Question 8

what is the first step in GRP production?

Answer 8

a high quality mould is produced

Question 9

what happens after a high quality mould is produced in GRP?

Answer 9

a releasing agent is sprayed onto the mould

Question 10

what happens after a gel coat is applied to the mould in the GRP manufacturing process?

Answer 10

resin + catalyst + glass are added in alternate layers into the mould

Question 11

what is the third step of the production of GRP?

Answer 11

a gel coat in applied to the mould ( shiny and coloured)

Question 12

what is the final step of the GRP manufacturing process?

Answer 12

it dries overnight and is removed from the mould.

Question 13

what is a danger in the manufacturing process of GRP?

Answer 13

Toxic fumes can be released

Question 14

what is carbon fibre composite made from?

Answer 14

a woven fabric of carbon fibre is layered in resin

Question 15

which is stronger:
carbon fibre or GRP

Answer 15

carbon fibre

Question 16

what property does the carbon fibre provide to the composite?

Answer 16

improves tensile strength

Question 17

where is carbon fibre composite used?

Answer 17

aircraft, sports equipment and racecar manufacture

Question 18

which composite will easily outperform any metal alternative?

Answer 18

carbon fibre

Question 19

what is MDF primarily made from?

Answer 19

wood waste

Question 20

how is wood waste made into MDF?

Answer 20

it is subjected to heat and pressure mixed with synthetic resin to bond fibres

Question 21

what are two benefits of MDF?

Answer 21

it is easily worked and has no grain

Question 22

what is a hazard of MDF?

Answer 22

fumes from glues, resins and fine fibres can irritate the skin, throat and nose

Question 23

what ways can MDF bee enhanced?

Answer 23

it can be laminated , or veneered for furniture

Question 24

what is a disadvantage of MDF?

Answer 24

it can be very heavy

Question 25

what is the difference between chipboard and MDF?

Answer 25

chipboards wood fibres are larger (chips of wood)

Question 26

is chipboard suitable for indoors?

Answer 26

yes

Question 27

is chipboard suitable for outdoors?
why?

Answer 27

no, when wet it starts to swell and break down

Question 28

what are hardboards made from?

Answer 28

fibres from pulped wood and paper

Question 29

the fibres in hardboard form mats that are held together by…

Answer 29

lignum and other glues

Question 30

how d warping prevented in hardboard

Answer 30

moisture is added in a humidification chamber