Gravity Effects on the Density of Laminated Composite due to the Differences in Angle Cured

Abstract

This research is carried out to study the feasibility of the gravity effects on curing position of the laminated composite structures to enhance the curing space needed. Vertical cured laminate having almost similar properties with common horizontal cured laminate able to save much space in composite industry especially for developing Small and Medium Industry (SMI). Horizontal cured laminates filled up spaces in which SMI lack of. Polyesters and E-glass fibers were used as the raw material in this research. Vacuum bagging technique was used to suck out the excess resin during lay-up to avoid any voids and air inside laminate and cured at different angle position in room temperature for 24 hours. Seven samples of laminated composite were fabricated and cut into specific dimension in accordance to ASTM standard. The aim of the research was to investigate the density property of the thermosetting laminated composite by curing the laminate at different angle using vacuum bagging technique. From the testing, SN6 had the same density value with control sample, SN1 that had value of 1.46 g/cm3.