composites

Glass-fibre Reinforced Polymers (GRP)

A strong but lightweight material made by weaving glass strands into a fabric and coating them with polyester resin.

How is GRP shaped?

The glass fabric is placed in a mould, resin is added, and after hardening, more layers are added to increase strength.

Applications of GRP

Commonly used for car bodies, water tanks, swimming pool slides, and boat hulls.

Carbon-fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP)

A strong but lightweight material with the best strength-to-weight ratio, made from high-strength carbon fibres coated with polymer resin.

Characteristics of CFRP

Very rigid, resists stretching, can handle high temperatures, widely used in aerospace and various industries.

Kevlar

A super-strong, lightweight material known for use in bulletproof vests, invented in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek.

How is Kevlar made?

By combining special chemicals to create a stiff, heat-resistant fibre that is nine times stronger than nylon.

Strength of Kevlar

When layered with resin, Kevlar becomes 20 times stronger than steel.

Common uses of Kevlar

Primarily used in protective gear (PPE) for dangerous jobs.