Investigation on Effect of Varying Weight Percentage of Glass Fiber and Filler on the Properties of Glass Fiber-Cement- Polyester Composites

Abstract

In this research, the results of different weight percentage of glass fiber (30, 40 & 50), cement (0, 3 & 6) and polyester resin (70, 60 & 50), on the properties of glass fiber-cement-polyester composites are investigated. The specimens are prepared by hand lay-up technique. All the specimens are tested for tensile and flexural strength as per ASTM standards. Results showed that escalation in glass fiber wt.% improved the tensile strength (by 9% at 40 wt.% and 17% at 50 wt.%) and flexural strength (by 10% at 40 wt.% and 16.5% at 50 wt.%). Whereas an increase in cement weight percentage decreases tensile strength and increases flexural strength. The failure of the sample is due to glass fiber pull out and rupture of the matrix, under tensile load.