sometimes better tolerances and material strengths. Carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers Rudder of Airbus A310 Advantages over a traditional rudder made from sheet aluminium are: 25% reduction in weight 95% reduction in components by combining parts and forms into simpler moulded parts. Overall reduction in production and operational costs, economy of parts results in lower production costs and the weight savings create fuel savings that lower the operational costs of flying the aeroplane. Glass-fibre-reinforced polymers Engine intake manifolds are made from glass-fibre-reinforced PA 66. Advantages this has over cast aluminium manifolds are: Up to a 60% reduction in weight Improved surface quality and aerodynamics Reduction in components by combining parts and forms into simpler moulded shapes. Automotive gas and clutch pedals made from glass-fibre-reinforced PA 66 (DWP 12–13) Advantages over stamped aluminium are: Pedals can be moulded as single units combining both pedals and mechanical linkages simplifying the production and operation of the design. Fibres can be oriented to reinforce against specific stresses, increasing the durability and safety. Aluminium windows, doors and façades are thermally insulated by using thermal insulation plastics made of glass fibre reinforced polyamide. In 1977 Ensinger GmbH produced first insulation profile for window systems. Structural applications FRP can be applied to strengthen the beams, columns, and slabs of buildings and bridges. It is possible to increase the strength of structural members even after they have been severely damaged due to loading conditions. In the case of damaged reinforced concrete members, this would first require the repair of the member by removing loose debris and filling in cavities and cracks with mortar or epoxy resin. Once the member is repaired, strengthening can be achieved through wet, hand lay-up of fibre sheets impregnated with epoxy resin, applied to the cleaned and prepared surfaces of the member. Two techniques are typically adopted for the strengthening of beams, depending on the strength enhancement desired: flexural strengthening or shear strengthening. In many cases it may be necessary to provide both strength enhancements. For the flexural strengthening of a beam, FRP sheets or plates are applied to the tension face of the member (the bottom face for a simply supported member with applied top loading or gravity loading). Principal tensile fibres are oriented parallel to the beam's longitudinal axis, similar to its internal flexural steel reinforcement. This increases the beam strength and its stiffness (load required to cause unit deflection), but decreases the deflection capacity