Generalized Parameters of the Structure of Reinforced Plastics and Their Classification and Properties

Abstract

A model and description of the monolithic structure of reinforced plastics in one direction (1D structure) in new generalized and reduced parameters (Θ, Θ/В, and Θ/S_f), which allow one to consider structure formation from the perspective of, on the one hand, the reinforcing fiber, taking into account its dimensions, packing, surface area, and content, and, on the other hand, the polymer matrix, by representing it in the form of three functional components (φ_p = Θ + В + М), are proposed for the first time. Such an approach to creating the structure of reinforced polymer composite materials (RPCMs), including a reinforcing phase of a fiber filler and the functional components of the polymer matrix, allows a fuller account of the features of formation of different types of structures, their classification, and a representation of the dependences of the properties in new generalized parameters, as well as the design of mixtures with a set of predefined properties. RPCMs are classified according to the structural principle: nonreinforced, weakly reinforced, medium-reinforced (MR), reinforced (R), highly reinforced (HR), extremely reinforced (ER), and superhigh reinforced (SHR) plastics. The critical values of the new generalized and reduced parameters for transitions of the RPCM from one structural type to another, according to the classification, are established and it is shown that the structural transition is accompanied by a change in the processing properties and performance of reinforced plastics.