Optimization of Injection Molding Process for High-Strength and Lightweight Back Rest of Firefighters Using Carbon Fiber Composites of Long Fiber Thermoplastic with Flame Retardants.

This study focuses on reducing the weight of oxygen respirators in firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE), which currently accounts for about 56% of the total weight. The heavy PPE, weighing between 20 and 25 kg, restricts movement and can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. To address this, the study investigates using a carbon fiber-reinforced composite for the backrest of the oxygen respirator to reduce weight while maintaining strength.

Control of Mechanical Properties of FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) via Arrangement of High-Strength/High-Ductility Fiber in a Blended Fabric.

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been widely investigated as a reinforcement material to address the corrosion and durability issues of reinforced concrete (RC). To improve the strain of FRP grids, we investigated the effect of single-fiber types, hybrid ratios, and stacking patterns on the strain of the composite materials. Blended fabrics in which different fibers are woven were used to further improve the strain of carbon fibers (CFs).

Optimizing Heat Treatment Conditions for Measuring CFRP and GFRP Resin Impregnation.

As the use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass-fiber-reinforced plastic is frequent in the field of construction, a method for measuring FRP resin content is needed. Herein, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to optimize the heat treatment conditions (temperature and time) for determining the resin content in which only the resin was removed without fiber heat loss. Accordingly, the measurement was performed in 100 °C increments at a resin pyrolysis temperature up to 800 °C with a heat treatment time of 4 h to continuously observe the degree of thermal decomposition of the resin.

A Study on Tensile Behavior According to the Design Method for the CFRP/GFRP Grid for Reinforced Concrete.

In the present study, fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) grid-reinforced concrete with very rapid hardening polymer (VRHP) mortar composites were fabricated using three types of design methods for the FRP grid (hand lay-up method, resin infusion method, and prepreg oven vacuum bagging method), along with two types of fibers (carbon fiber and glass fiber) and two types of sheets (fabric and prepreg). The FRP grid was prepared by cutting the FRP laminates into a 10 mm thick, 50 mm × 50 mm grid. The tensile behavior of the FRP grid embedded in composites was systematically analyzed in terms of the load extension, fracture mode, partial tensile strain, and load-bearing rate.