Publisher's Synopsis
This guide provides practical advice on the effective use and joining of polymer composite materials. High strength/weight ratio, design freedom, ease of handling and corrosion resistance are some of the many advantages which have led fibre-reinforced polymer composites to be increasingly used as structural materials. The guide is primarily concerned with glass-reinforced thermosetting polymer composites, that is glass fibre-reinforced plastic, which make up the vast majority of plastics in construction. It covers constituent materials and fabrication, principal applications, joining options, joint design and fabrication, and testing and quality assurance guidelines. It also provides a selection of case studies from both the UK and overseas, while the final section discusses lessons for the future.
