Fiberglass & Composite Materials (Paperback)

by Forbes Aird (Author) "In general terms, a composite is a material made up from two or more other substances which give properties, in combination, that are not available..." (more)
Key Phrases: fabric impregnator, glycidil ethers, station templates, Jack Gladback, Michael Lutfy, Guy Levesque (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For many years, race cars of all types have been constructed with lightweight materials other than aluminum or steel. The application of this space-age technology is also becoming more widely used on street cars as stronger materials are developed, costs become lower, and techniques are simplified. This book is a comprehensive technical handbook on the most current technology behind fiberglass and other composite materials.

Product Details

• Paperback: 153 pages
• Publisher: HPBooks; 1st edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557882398
• ISBN-13: 978-1557882394
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #354,117 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Special Topics > Ocean & Coastal Engineering
  #3 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Materials > Composites
  #84 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Materials Science > Mechanical Properties of Solids

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

119 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good general information, not a step by step guide., November 2, 1999

By A Customer

The book provides information about many different types of composite materials. It discusses the differences in these materials and why you would choose one over the other. It is definately not a step by step guide nor is it geared to any one specific use of composite materials. This is probably a book for a boat/race car/airplane designer who needs to know more about the different types of composites out there. It also covers building molds and plugs; something more for the commercial person than the do it yourselfer. If you just want to build/repair a boat or a car there are better books out there. If you have no clue about the different types of fiberglass cloth and resins and the like and you are about to start a big project, then maybe this is the book for you. Just remember, it is not a step by step guide and it does not go into great detail on any one specific topic. It is sort of an industry overview.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Creates an excellent foundation., September 29, 2002

By	Jonathan R. Scoggins (Newport News, VA United States) - See all my reviews

An excellent book for learning about fiberglass/composites. Before reading this book, I had little knowledge about composties, but a desire to learn. The information is presented in a way that anyone can understand it. Aird educates the reader about different fiber types and weaves, resins and resin systems, gel coat, trade tools, safety, and basic lay-up. He also includes information on molds, plugs, and strength/stress -- though I feel these sections make having some hands-on knowledge of composites an asset, which I lack. It is an excellent book that can take you from knowing nothing, to a point where you can talk intelligently about composites with someone in the FRP field. As other reviews have pointed out, this is not a step by step manual; but is probably a prerequisite to actually understanding one. In conclusion: I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about fiberglass and composite systems.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This book is more of an overview than a step-by-step instruction book, but it still contains a great deal of highly practical information. If you are thinking of using composites in a car, homebuilt plane, or boat, this book is a good first step. It is one of the few that is up-to-date enough to treat the new epoxy systems and fibers like Kevlar and carbon as practical options.