Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Randomly Oriented Composite Materials for Reinforcement of Railway Facilities

Abstract

In this study evaluated the mechanical properties of randomly oriented composite materials used as reinforcement in railway facilities, and proposed equations to predict the changes in mechanical properties with varying curing temperature. The curing temperature is an important factor for reducing the time of FRP reinforcement work and prior to changing curing temperature, evaluation of mechanical properties for randomly oriented composite materials with varying curing temperature is essential. Thus, tensile specimens of chopped strand mat and glass fiber combination mat as randomly oriented composite material were manufactured by varying curing temperature and mechanical properties were evaluated. As a results of the test, it is considered that the glass fiber combination mat showed changes in tensile strength and elastic modulus of up to 8% with varying curing temperature. So that it is able to reinforce the railway facilities in the high temperature. The mechanical properties of chopped strand mat changed by more than 24%. To predict mechanical properties in relation to curing temperature, equations were derived using the method of least squares.