Chrome Plated Fiberglass
Fiberglass Composite materials can be coated to show many different finished effects. I ran across a neat Youtube video demonstrating a spray on chrome process with a fiberglass grill shell.
It is pretty cool to see the change in appearance as the coating is applied. I am amazed at how wet the part is sprayed. Definitely not a traditional spray application method. The coating is just dripping off of the part. My guess is that the spraying with an air nozzle is working to help remove any runs and wrinkles in the surface finish.
This coating process will act like a painted surface more than a part that has been subjected to a hardened plating process. Surface adhesion will be very important to test the durability of the finished look.
Cirrus Composite Airframes
I found a very interesting Youtube peek inside of the Cirrus airplane assembly factory in Minnesota. While it would be cool to learn more about the actual composites fabrication of the individual parts, there is some great information about part bonding, inspection, and final assembly of the Cirrus aircraft. They use fiberglass and carbon fiber reinforcements to create a very strong and durable fuselage, and it is great to see in action.
Personal jets made of composite materials offer many advantages and unique properties. Design of complex shapes and anti corrosion of aluminum are two advantages. Disadvantages include repeatability and upgrading/modification.
Composites that are properly designed and fabricated can be used in many applications where safety is a big concern. Proper design and inspection during production can create an airplane that can be easily maintained and have a very long life.
Great factory tour courtesy of Aero-TV:
Use of FRP Composites in Bridges
FRP (Fiber Reinforced Composites) have been successfully used in the construction and repair of transportation bridges in the U.S. for several years. These projects have proven that the materials and work methods are can be successfully used.
FRP rebar can replace steel rebar and provide equal physical strength while eliminating the corrosion problems of having steel embedded in concrete.
Prefabricated bridge decks made of FRP in a factory can be quickly and easily installed in the field to save time and money during the bridge construction project. The large panels are shipped in and laid down, ready to use very quickly. Concrete cure and inspection times are reduced.
Concrete crack repairs can be made to bridges and concrete structures by wrapping them with composite materials to seal these cracks and hold the concrete together, protecting it from further damage.
This technology has been in development for many years, and proper materials, construction techniques, and design guidelines have been established to allow for many successful projects to be completed.
Economics play a considerable role, and this cost comparison constantly changes with the prices of materials on both sides. Composites have the advantage of typically requiring fewer road closures and construction time in the field.
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