ABSTRACT
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials are made of three essential constituents: fibers, polymers, and additives. In fibrous polymeric composites, fibers with high strength and high stiffness are embedded in and bonded together by the low-modulus continuous polymeric matrix. In the case of FRP composites, the reinforcing fibers constitute the backbone of the material, and they determine its strength and stiffness in the direction of the fibers. The additives include plasticizers, flame retardants, blowing agents, and coupling agents. Other constituents in small quantities include coatings, pigments, and fillers (GangaRao et al. 2007).
