Composites: Polymer-matrix composites
Polymer-matrix composites manufacturing is a multibillion dollar industry in the USA. Composite products range from skateboards to components of the space shuttle. The industry can be usually divided into two basic segments: industrial composites and advanced composites. Several of the composites manufacturing processes and potential dangers are common to both segments
In the USA, composites manufacturing is a 25 billion dollar a year industry. About 90% of all composites that are produced are comprised of glass fiber and either
polyester or a vinyl ester resin. 65% of the composites are manufactured using a
open molding method and the remaining 35% are produced using a closed molding or
continuous molding methods. |
