Vinyl composites?fiberglass reinforced PVC

Glass fiber reinforced PVC has several distinctive and useful properties. Its tensile strength can be twice that of unreinforced PVC. Excellent coupling of the glass fibers to the PVC matrix is required for good retention of tensile strength when exposed to warm water, Its modulus can be twice that of unreinforced PVC and equal to that of wood. PVC's high load carrying capability is not significantly increased to higher temperatures by adding glass fibers as judged by its 264 psi heat deflection temperature. However, by changing the polymeric matrix, glass reinforced vinyl with an increased HDT of 86°C has been produced for higher use temperature. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion of PVC can be cut in half by the addition of glass fibers and has a coefficient equal to that of aluminum. Glass fiber reinforced PVC has exceptionally good resistance to crack propagation and resists shattering as judged by sawing, punching, stapling, and hammering. When properly formulated for weathering resistance, glass fiber reinforced PVC has good color retention, impact retention, and outstanding dimensional stability. As for all glass fiber reinforced plastics, processing equipment must be built for high abrasion resistance for long economical manufacturing runs.