1-2 INTRODUCTION 



Like most other materials, fiberglass reinforced plasties are subject to some deteriora- 

 tion with exposure and weathering. But because of their relative inertness to attack by a 

 large number of deteriorating causes and their ability to minimize water absorption, they 

 can successfully withstand most of the elements which accelerate the aging processes in 

 metals and woods, and will therefore need less maintenance. 



PRESENT APPLICATIONS 



From the time, about 1940, when the first experimental structures were developed using 

 fiberglass reinforced plastics, the possibilities of widespread application of this new material 

 were exciting. In almost every case, even for complex high performance items, the strength 

 to weight performance is excellent. This desirable characteristic has continued to hold true 

 with well designed and fabricated structures, Figs. 1-1 to 1-4. 



Of all the applications of fiberglass reinforced plastics, the marine applications, where 

 high structural performance and maximum durability are at a premium, seem to illustrate 

 more of the positive reasons for selecting this material in preference to others. The prima- 

 ry and well known marine application is in the hull construction of military, pleasure and 

 commercial craft. Figs. 1-5 to 1-10 illustrate some boat hull applications. The trend 

 toward the application of this material, in larger boat hulls, Figs. 1-11 to 1-15 is continuing. 

 Shipboard applications such as fairwaters, tanks, antenna trunks, telephone booths, parti- 

 tions, torpedo tubes and crew shelters has further proven the material's suitability to the 

 marine industry. Other successful marine applications are submarine fairwaters, Fig. 1-16, 

 buoys and floats, Fig. 1-17. 



TECHNICAL STATUS 



In common with all new materials it has taken time and experience to amass dependable 

 data on the qualities and performance of the material in different configurations. The very 

 characteristics which provides the greatest potential benefit in the use of fiberglass rein- 

 forced plastics also creates the greatest difficulty. This is due to the fact that the composite 

 laminate is created in place by combining diverse basic materials under a wide variety of 

 environmental conditions. Obtaining consistent quality in these materials may not be more 

 difficult than is the case with older and more familiar materials but it involves a vastly dif- 

 ferent approach compared with manufacturing practices developed over the years for older 

 and more familiar materials. 



Designers who have become experienced in using particular forms of fiberglass rein- 

 forced plastics have engineered applications which fulfill all the promise of the early experi- 

 mental structures. Fabricating shops using processes with which they have become familiar 

 have successfully met the most exacting standards. Quantity production of small boats and 

 automobile bodies has demonstrated the ability to compete successfully on engineering and 

 economic grounds. Airplane and missile applications, Figs. 1-18 and 1-19, leave no doubt 

 that dependable quality can be achieved in limited production. Many applications illustrate an 

 ability to utilize the unique qualities which can be fashioned into a reinforced plastic structure. 

 But there has been a legitimate hesitancy to apply fiberglass reinforced plastics, even in situ- 

 ations where the apparent qualities would indicate them as ideal. This reluctance has been 

 based upon a lack of reliable engineering data. 



The flexibility in choice of the types of reinforcement and resin poses a problem of uti- 

 lizing experience with one combination in dealing with a different combination. Not only has 

 the bulk of engineering experience been limited, but lack of standardized data has made it 

 difficult to utilize experience in dealing with different forms and processes. 



