Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling of Laminated Composite after Cured at Different Angle

Abstract

Moisture absorption is a very important factor in polymers and composite materials used for hull manufacture and stability in marine environment. High water absorption of the material will affects the mechanical properties and stability in composite. 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. 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. This paper will discuss about the investigation on the water absorption and thickness swelling of the thermosetting laminated composite by curing the laminate at different angle using vacuum bagging technique. From the testing, SN6 and SN7 shows to have good water resistant in physical properties.