Mechanical Characterization of Thermoset Polyester / Glass Fiber Pmc’s

Mechanical Characterization of Thermoset Polyester / Glass Fiber Pmc’s

Asst. Prof. / Dr./ Dr. /Mr. Puttaswamaiah.S 1 / K.Channakeshavalu2 / Mir Safiulla 3 / Mahesh R Hallur 4

1 – Asst. Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engg, EWIT, Bangalore.

1. – Principal, East West Institute of Technology, Bangalore.

2. – Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engg & Head of R&D, GCE, Ramanagara 4- PG Scholar (Product Design & Manufacturing), Dept of IEM, JSSATE, Bangalore.

Abstract–The aim of this work is to synthesis and evaluation of the mechanical characterization such as tensile, compression & bending test. The mechanical properties of the thermoset polymer changes gradually or drastically by changing the layers of fiber. Specimen is prepared as per the ASTM standard. Glass fiber reinforced polyester composite with different layers of glass fibers of woven mat & chopped mat were prepared to conduct tests. The results have been plotted & compared.

Key words : Polyester, Glass fiber, Mechanical Properties.

INTRODUCTION

A composite material is a non uniform solid consisting of two or more different materials that are mechanically bonded together. Each of the various components retains its identity in the composite and maintains its characteristic structure and properties. Generally, the structure of a composite consists of two phases, matrix and reinforcement. The matrix is a continuous phase and the reinforcement is a discontinuous one. The composite materials, however, generally possess combination of properties such as stiffness, strength, weight, high temperature performance, corrosion resistance, hardness and conductivity which are not possible with the individual components. Indeed, composites are produced when two or more materials or phases are used together to give a combination of properties that cannot be achieved otherwise. The different fiber reinforced polyester laminates were prepared with different layers of glass fibers. Glass fiber reinforced plastics composite is extensively used as a structural material for pools, oil pipes and tanks because it has good corrosion resistance properties. The mechanical properties of the FRP composites will alter by addition of other materials to the resin [3]. The mechanical properties have increases by changing or modifying the surface properties of the fibers [4].

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The basic manufacturing process is simple. Fabrics are laid up as a dry stack of materials. These fabrics are sometimes pre-pressed to the mould shape, and held together by a binder. These 'performs' are then more easily laid into the mould tool. A second mould tool is then clamped over the first, and resin is injected into the cavity. Vacuum can also be applied to the mould cavity to assist resin in being drawn into the fabrics. This is known as Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection (VARI). Once all the fabric is wet out, the resin inlets are closed, and the laminate is allowed to cure. Both injection and cure can take place at either ambient or elevated temperature.

Mechanical properties (i.e, Tensile, bending and Compression) were measured using INSTRON testing machine as per prevailing ASTM testing standards. An INSTRON -UTM of 100KN capacity with the necessary specimen holding accessories was used to evaluate the properties of glass fiber reinforced polyurethane composites and polyurethane based fiber metal composites. The tensile test was carried out at the speed of 1mm/min in the UTM. The graphs which were obtained are studied. The three point bending test was carried out and the graphs were analyzed.

Figure 1 : Specimen prepared & cut for tensile test

In this study, six different types of three layered GFRP (3 specimen samples of chopped stand glass fibers and 3 specimen samples of woven stand glass fibers) were prepared.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Tensile test: The tensile test is conducted for the specimen of GFRP composite with 1,2 and 3 layers of woven and chopped strand glass fibers at a rate of 1mm/min on the Instron UTM and the results are noted down. The graph is generated for the tested specimens. And the graphs are as shown below.

For 1 layer chopped stand glass fiber.

For 2 layer chopped stand glass fiber

For 3 layer chopped stand glass fiber.

For 1 layer woven strand glass fiber.

For 2 layer woven strand glass fiber.

For 3 layer woven stand glass fiber

Table of tensile test

COMPRESSION

The compression test is conducted for the specimen of GFRP composite with 1,2 and 3 layers of woven and chopped strand glass fibers at a rate of 1mm/min on the Instron UTM and the results are noted down. The graph is generated for the tested specimens. And the graphs are as shown below..

For 1 layer Chopped strand glass fiber

For 2 layer Chopped strand glass fiber

For 3 layer Chopped strand glass fiber

For 1 layer Woven strand glass fiber

For 2 layer Woven strand glass fiber

For 3 layer Woven strand glass fiber

Table for compression test

Bending: The three bending test is conducted for the specimen of GFRP composite with 1,2 and 3 layers of woven and chopped strand glass fibers at a rate of 1mm/min on the Instron UTM and the results are noted down. The graph is generated for the tested specimens. And the graphs are as shown below..

For 1 layer chopped strand glass fiber

For 2 layer chopped strand glass fiber

For 3 layer chopped strand glass fiber

For 1 layer Woven strand glass fiber

For 2 layer Woven strand glass fiber

For 3 layer Woven strand glass fiber

Table bending testing

DICUSSION

TENSILE :

• From the obtained graph we can observe that the laminate with 2 layer of chopped strand glass fibers can with stand more load than the rest of the laminates.

• The elongation % of the 3 layered woven mat laminate has more compare to that of others.

• The break load required for the composite with 2 layer chopped strand FRP is more than that of others.

  COMPRESSION

• We can observe from the obtained graph that the load withstanding capacity is more for the 2 layer chopped strand composite matrix than that of the other types.

• The breaking load for the composite with 3 layer woven strand matrix is less than that of the other types.

• The 3 layer chopped strand matrix composite has got considerable high strength and it has less

  %elongation that of the other.

  BENDING

• We can observe from the obtained graph that the load withstanding capacity is more for the 2 layer chopped strand composite matrix than that of the other types.

• The breaking load for the composite with 3 layer woven strand matrix is more than that of the other types.

  CONCLUSION

• All the results obtained from the test we can observe that the composite laminate with 2 layer of chopped strand glass fiber matrix is more stronger than that of the rest of the samples

REFERENCES

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2. Laminated Composite Plates David Roylance Department of Materials Science and Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139 February 10, 2000

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9. Polyester resins as a matrix material in advanced fibre- reinforced polymer (FRP) compositesAdvanced Fibre- Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Structural Applications, 2013, Page 44-68 N. Miskolczi

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