Development of Rubber Pressure Molding Technique using Silicone Rubber to Fabricate Fiber-reinforced Plastic Components Based on Glass Fiber and Epoxy Resin

Abstract

In this study, a rubber pressure molding (RPM) technique is developed to prepare fiber-reinforced plastic components (FRP) using glass fiber and epoxy resin. The technique is based on the matching die set, where the die is made of hard metal-like steel and the punch from flexible rubber-like materials. The use of a flexible rubber punch helps to intensify and uniformly redistribute pressure (both the operating pressure and developed hydrostatic pressure due to the flexible rubber punch) on the surface of the product. A split steel die and rubber punch are designed and fabricated to prepare the FRP components. The same split die is also used to cast the rubber punch. Silicone rubber is used to prepare the rubber punch in this investigation. Burn test, coin test, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical tests like interlaminar fracture toughness, interlaminar shear test (ILST), tension test, etc. are carried out to know the fiber content, void content, presence of delamination, bonding between fiber and resin, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the composite materials. These properties are also compared with the FRP components made by the conventional technique to evaluate its performances in structural applications.