How do I specify composites?
Simple.  You use descriptive specifications and drawings the same as you use to specify any structural engineering project, but with a few additional requirements.  Because FRP composites are a relatively new material of construction, the codes and standards for the design and construction of FRP structures has not fully matured.  A professional engineer experienced in the design and fabrication of FRP products is a reliable source. Descriptive specifications should be expanded to include details pertaining to composite materials, fabrication methods, and shipping requirements.  It is also recommended to contact engage the services of an FRP product manufacturer or FRP engineering consultant. The MDA membership is a cross-section of experts in composites materials and fabrication.  For that reason, if you have a question(s) concerning a specific installation, ASK AN EXPERT who will respond to your inquiry.

How do I install composites?
Typically, composites are easier to install than traditional materials because of their lighter weight.  Manufacturers of composites provide installation guides to facilitate a proper installation and may offer workers training on proper installation procedures.

What maintenance is required for composites?
FRP is not necessarily maintenance-free, but it is the closest economical alternative when used properly.  For instance, painting can be eliminated for composites that have pigment incorporated in the resin or gel coat out layer and even if the topcoat is damaged, the composite does not experience rusting or other forms of galvanic corrosion because of its inherent resistance to environmental factors.

Can composites by used with other materials so that a structure can be repaired rather than replaced?
The answer is yes, with some strong words of advice.  As the need to balance budgets often supersedes the outright replacement of structures, a new opportunity emerges for composites - where composites are joined with traditional materials to form hybrids, or "super composites." The combination of materials is powerful, but there are also some considerations:

	Elastic Modulus:  The stiffness, or elastic modulus of the hybrid combination is critical to the general behavior of the structure.  Traditional materials maintain the same stiffness within a normal environmental service temperature range.  Plastics can act differently, depending on the choice of resin.  If consideration is not given to the polymer's glass transition temperature, the fiber/matrix interfacial  bond may be weakened, resulting in a disbond failure.
	Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:  CTE is the change in length (or volume) per unit length (or volume) produced by one degree Celsius rise in temperature.  If the substrate and the repair material (FRP composite) are not thermally compatible, failure will occur with a disbond or delamination. Consideration of the resin's CTE must be considered.  In most repair situations, the resin matrix requires a low modulus and relatively high elongation at break.
	Moisture: In general, FRP composites are impermeable to moisture.  If however, the substrate contains moisture, the polymer will not allow it to "out gas" or pass through and a disbond can occur at the interface between the composite and the substrate.  Therefore it is important to properly prepare the substrate (i.e. sandblast, air dry, etc.) prior to applying the composite material.

á Top