Fabrication and characterization of homogenous and functionally graded glass fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

Composite materials are the most promising and distinctive materials to achieve higher strength to weight ratio, good stiffness and more cost-effectiveness The reinforcement and matrix are the two main components of any composite material. Fiber reinforced functionally graded resin-based polymer composite can be used in various applications where varying properties are desired. This paper presents the findings on physical and mechanical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced vinyl-ester based homogenous and functionally graded polymer composites. The homogenous polymer composites were fabricated by hand lay-up technique and functionally graded polymer composites were fabricated by centrifugal casting technique. The physical and mechanical characteristics like void fraction, water absorption, tensile strength, hardness, flexural strength, impact strength and microstructure were investigated to get detailed insights. The characteristics like void fraction, water absorption and tensile strength are found to be enhanced in case of homogenous polymer composite than functionally graded polymer composite, and this increase with fiber loading. Similarly, the hardness, impact strength and flexural strength are found to be increased with fiber loading in case of functionally graded polymer composite compared to homogenous polymer composite.