High-performance resins keep FRP structures cost competitive

摘要

Fabricators of composite structures, such as in bathroom sinks, pleasure boats, or helicopters, are under tremendous pressure to boost quality and lower costs. Some recent technical innovations show how suppliers of composite resins and reinforcements are meeting these challenges. Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan, USA), for instance, has introduced a new family of epoxy vinyl ester resins, tradenamed Derakane Momentum, geared to more economical production of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP). Developments from other companies are also described.