Fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials with high specific strength and excellent solid particle erosion resistance

It has been reported that reinforcement fiber such as carbon fiber (CF) and glass fiber (GF) can enhance the strength of polymer composites, but reduce the particle erosion resistance of the polymer composites. In our study, organic high-polymer fibers (Dyneema® and Zylon®) were used as reinforcement to make fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs). Tensile tests and particle erosion wear tests under various impact angles were carried out for comparison with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), and unsaturated polyester (UP) resin. The damaged surfaces of the Dyneema-fiber-reinforced polymer (DFRP) and Zylon-fiber-reinforced polymer (ZFRP) were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope, and the erosion wear mechanisms of the composites were discussed. It was concluded that it was feasible to develop the FRP materials with low density, high strength, and excellent particle erosion resistance.