Abstract
Improper fibre volume analyses in most reinforced composites poses great challenges in polymer industries which results to the production of composites with low mechanical strength. This study investigates the fibre volume fraction and impact strength analysis of reinforced polyester composites. In this study, E-Glass fibres (hard and soft mat) were mixed with polyester at different composition by volume. The E-glass serves as reinforcement to the polyester, fourteen test specimens of the reinforced composites were developed with each of them having dimension of 210mm length, 150mm width and 50mm thickness respectively. The properties of the developed reinforced composites such as volume fraction, impact energy, and impact strength were analysed from the values obtained from compact tension and Charpy impact test respectively. The results obtained shows that the effective thickness of the developed reinforced composites ranged from 60mm to 100mm at fibre fraction which ranges from 0.32 to 0.50. The results obtained also shows that the specimens containing woven roving have greater resistance to fracture and impact damages due to high fibre volume fraction. Hence, the laminates impact strength is a function of its fibre volume fraction.
Highlights
Inadequate analysis of the production factors in composite production poses tremendous challenges
Specimens used for fracture mechanics test and the other 14 specimens were for impact tests respectively, using a hack saw cutting blade and tested in accordance with the ASTM and ISO standard for fracture mechanics and impact tests for composite materials respectively
The fibre volume fraction of the reinforcement used in the laminate were obtained using Equation 1, the results were presented on Table 2a and 2b respectively
Summary
Inadequate analysis of the production factors in composite production poses tremendous challenges. Fracture events are often associated with finite increase in fracture area which leads to eventual catastrophic failure These failures are imminently progressive due to the absence of sufficient and effective reinforcement, which prevent crack propagation through fibre bridging and crack arrest [1, 2]. Williams [6] in his analysis of the fracture mechanics of composites failure reviewed how fracture mechanism can be applied to the various fracture modes which was observed in composites From his investigation, It was observed that the conventional methods may be used for short-fibre composites, he observed that oriented laminates undergo delamination which is often parallel to the applied loads. It was shown that the fracture toughness of unidirectional composites was independent of the crack length but dependent on crack-fibre orientation To verify these claims, glass epoxy material was used.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
