| High volume production of low cost fiber-reinforced composite materials (FRP) unavoidably requires the use of additives and fillers. Additives and fillers are used to improve the surface quality of the part, alleviate some processing problems and reduce the overall cost. However, in un-reinforced plastics additives and fillers are known to knock down the mechanical performance. By extension, this reality has led to believe that fillers and additives have the same drawbacks on FRP's as on un-reinforced plastics. This may be true in some circumstances; however, it is also true that if used properly with FRP's, the advantages of fillers and additives can considerably overcome their drawbacks. This work is part of large program aimed to lower the cost of FRP's by an optimal use of fillers and additives. The principal objective of this thesis is to study the effect of fillers and additives on the physical and mechanical properties of pultruded unidirectional composites. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
