Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites Research Articles

Towards understanding the breakdown and mechanisms of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites in sub-critical water using some of the most employed and efficient additives from literature

This study describes the hydrolysis of glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites using some of the most employed and efficient additives from the literature. This includes the use of KOH, a mix of KOH/phenol and reference experiments without additives. Sub-critical water in a temperature range of 200–325 °C and a constant pressure of 300 bar were chosen as process parameters to cover a wide temperature range.It was possible to explain the mechanisms producing the majority of the different reaction products identified by GC-MS. The monomer phthalic anhydride was only recovered in the experiments without additives and was most stable at 200–250 °C. The increase or decrease in the production of monomers and other reaction products at different temperatures with and without additives has been clarified by the GC-MS investigations, which introduces new possibilities for tailoring the production of monomers and various chemical compounds via hydrolysis of polymer composites.

Influence of fibre content on the degradation of punnal oil based biopolyester resin

Punnal oil is the seed oil of the Calophyllum inophyllum tree. This oil is readily available and inexpensive, used for the synthesis of various polymers. Punnal oil based biopolyester resin was synthesised by reacting punnal oil with peroxyacetic acid followed by acrylation with acrylic acid. The obtained polyester resin was cured with styrene in the presence of benzoyl peroxide. The coir and glass fibre reinforced polyester composites were synthesised using punnal oil based biopolyester resin with coir and glass fibre of varying compositions. The chemical ageing under organic and inorganic environment and thermal stability of polyester resin and their composites have been studied and the results were discussed. The evaluation of ageing performance reveals that the glass fibre reinforced polyester composites showed lower degradation rate than the coir fibre reinforced polyester composites. As the percentage of fibre content increases, the degradation rate also increases.

Study on thermo physical properties of hemp, jute and glass fiber reinforced polyester composites

The objective of this study is to examine the variation in thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity and thermal diffusivity of composites with respect to fiber content and temperature. The fiber content in the composites was varied from 18 to 36 by volume percentage. The results revealed that the thermal conductivity of composite decreased with increase in fiber content and the quite opposite trend was observed with respect to temperature. The specific heat capacity of the composite as measured by differential scanning calorimeter showed similar trend as that of the thermal conductivity. It was observed that the thermal diffusivity of composite was influenced by the fiber content, and the variation of thermal diffusivity decreased with increase in temperature at maximum volume of fiber.

Mechanical strengthening effect by various forms and orientation of glass fibre reinforced isopthalic polyester polymer composite

Polyester resin enhances its mechanical property when it is reinforced with glass fibres. These glass fibre reinforced polyester composite were widely used in the marine applications. In this research work the polymer composite of three different glass fibres was reinforced with isopthalic polyester resin. By using the volume fraction of glass fibres and polyster resin as 60%-40%, 50%-50% & 40%-60%, various forms of glass fibers such as CSM 450, WRM 610, and COMBO MAT 910 laminates were prepared under each composition. Those Composites were fabricated using hand layup technique and subjected to post curing in a furnace of 80°C. The prepared laminates undergoes Barcol hardness test, tensile test, flexural test, water absorption and glass content test to investigate the best combination among the fabricated composites. Based upon the different mechanical property investigation, COMBO MAT 910 was termed as superior than all other laminates.

Effect of Different Fillers on Adhesive Wear Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

Effect of Different Fillers on Adhesive Wear Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

Recycling of an acrylate–glass fiber reinforced polyester composite

Recycling possibilities were evaluated for a composite waste composed of glass fiber reinforced polyester bound to a layer of crosslinked polymethylmethacrylate. Grinding allowed removal of a majority of glass fibers; however, the two constituent materials remained bonded. The ground material was extruded as filler with polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene, allowing maximum filling of 90, 60, and 70%, respectively. The highly filled materials had acceptable impact resistance but possessed processing limitations. Alternatively, the ground waste was mixed with unsaturated polyester resins, compacted and crosslinked to yield boards of various dimensions. With 10% resin addition, crosslinking at 80 °C and compression moulding at pressures above 200 bar boards comparable to wood particleboards were prepared. Mechanical properties, water uptake, and resistance to solvents of the boards were determined. Larger boards prepared by this method were successfully used in an industrial test production of bathtubs.

Validation of fatigue damage model for composites made of various fiber types and configurations

Empirical model for predicting fatigue damage behavior of composite materials developed recently has been applied to composite materials made of different fibers in various configurations: carbon and glass fiber noncrimp fabric reinforced epoxy composites, chopped strand mat glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites, randomly oriented nonwoven hemp fiber-reinforced polyester composites, and glass/hemp fiber-reinforced polyester hybrid composites. The fatigue properties were evaluated in tension–tension mode at stress ratio R = 0.1 and frequency of 1 Hz. The experimental fatigue data were used to determine the material parameters required for the model. It has been found that the model accurately predicts the degradation of fatigue life of composites with an increase in number of fatigue cycles. The scope of applicability of this model has thus been broadened by using the fatigue data of natural fiber and noncrimp fabric composites.

Mechanical Properties Of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

ABSTRACT Glass fiber reinforced polyester composites have played a dominant role for a long-time in a variety of applications for their high specific strength, stiffness and modulus. In this research work, an E-glass fiber with random oriented reinforced polymer composite was developed by hand lay-up technique with varying fiber percentages (15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% by weight percentage). The influence of glass fiber percentage on the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, bending strength and impact strength was investigated. Hardness of composites was evaluated by using Brinell hardness tester. The results showed remarkable improvement in the mechanical properties of the fabricated composite with an increasing in the glass fiber contents. Tensile strength varies from 28.25 MPa to 78.83 MPa, flexural strength varies from 44.65 MPa to 119.23 MPa and impact energy at room temperature varies from 3.50 Joules to 6.50 Joules, as a function of fiber weight fraction. The hardness value will greatly increase from 31.5 BHN to 47 BHN. The best mechanical properties obtained at 60 wt.% of glass fiber of fabricated composites.

Acoustic emission analysis for characterisation of damage mechanisms in glass fiber reinforced polyester composite

This study assesses the progression of damage occurring on glass fiber reinforced polyester composite specimens using acoustic emission (AE) parameters. Its aims are to improve understanding of the particular characteristics of AE signals; and also to determine the relationship between AE signals and the failure of the material. Time and frequency domain trends were analysed at four different applied loads (60.97, 67.75, 74.52 and 81.30 MPa) representing 45–60% of the ultimate tensile strength of material. The relevant AE parameters were analysed both in the early stages of the test and as the material neared the fracture zone. The results showed a high degree of correlation between the root mean square and number of hits AE values and the number of cycles to failure, of 92.99 and 92.19%, respectively. This correlation, as well as AE basic parameters, suggests that AE can be a valuable tool to predict the fatigue life and detect the onset of damage in such composite materials.

Effect of nanopaper coating on flexural properties of a fire-treated glass fiber reinforced polyester composite

Rapid re-launch aerospace vehicles require materials with high specific strength to withstand thermal shock associated with repeated re-entry. Glass fiber reinforced polyester (GRP) composites have rapidly become preferred for high value structural components requiring high specific strength. Their ability to sustain high tensile and impact loads has allowed them to be used as light-transmitting panels and fuselages. Due to service conditions, heat flux strongly alters mechanical properties with exposure time. The effect of including a thermal-barrier coating, in the form of a carbon nanopaper, on the monotonic flexural properties of a GRP composite is analyzed. A series of three-point bend experiments was performed on specimen-sized samples of composites subjected to various levels of heat fluxes across numerous exposure times. Analysis of these experiments reveals trends in the deformation mechanisms of these materials near failure. Correlations of flexural modulus and critical load are used to develop associations to strength.

A Novel Transparent Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Interlayer for Blast-Resistant Windows

An optically transparent woven glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite has been fabricated. This composite has been used as an interlayer in the fabrication of a laminated glass-composite window panel for application in blast-resistant windows. The transparency of the glass fiber-reinforced composite was achieved by matching the refractive index of the polyester matrix with that of glass fibers. Various chemical additives have been investigated for their effectiveness in modifying the refractive index of the polyester matrix. The composite interlayer's mechanical properties under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions have been characterized in this study. The window panels were tested under various blast loading conditions. The panels perform well under U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) specified C, D, and E blast loading levels.

Frequency effect in short-beam shear fatigue of a glass fiber reinforced polyester composite

The effect of loading frequency on short-beam shear fatigue behavior of a glass fiber reinforced polyester laminated was studied. Surface specimen temperature increase and macroscopic specimen damage were also evaluated. The tests were performed employing a short-beam device with three amplitude stress levels, four frequencies between 1 and 10Hz and a shear stress ratio R=0.1. Specimens with the smallest stress amplitude showed a fatigue life between 105 and 106 cycles and the largest stress amplitude endured approximately 104 cycles. The high stress amplitude tests produced increases in specimen temperature up to 7°C, 4°C and 1°C for 10Hz, 6Hz and both 3 and 1Hz respectively, while no temperature changes were measured in low amplitude tests. According to the statistical analysis performed, the changes in fatigue life were not significant for the frequency range employed in this study.

Fabrication and characterization of novel zirconia filled glass fiber reinforced polyester hybrid composites

ABSTRACTNovel hybrid glass fiber reinforced polyester composites (GFRPCs) filled with 1‐5 wt % microsized zirconia (ZrO2) particles, were fabricated by hand lay‐up process followed by compression molding and evaluated their physical, mechanical and thermal behaviors. The consumption of styrene in cured GFRPCs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The potential implementation of ZrO2 particles lessened the void contents marginally and substantially enhanced the mechanical and thermal properties in the resultant hybrid composites. The GFRPCs filled with 4 wt % ZrO2 illustrated noteworthy improvement in tensile strength (66.672 MPa) and flexural strength (67.890 MPa) while with 5 wt % ZrO2 showed 63.93% rise in hardness, respectively, as compared to unfilled GFRPCs. Physical nature of polyester matrix for composites and an improved glass transition temperature (Tg) from 103 to 112 °C was perceived by differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal stability of GFRPCs was remarkably augmented with the addition of ZrO2. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43615.

Pyrolysis of fiberglass/polyester composites: Recovery and characterization of obtained products

Glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite (GFRPs) scraps from manufacturing of polyester laminates were pyrolyzed at 500, 550 and 600°C in an 70 Kg innovative batch pilot plant that processes whole parts. The presence of a hydraulic guard guarantees the safety of the process. The influence of the maximum process temperature on yields and chemical-physical properties of pyrolysis products was investigated: the oil fraction was analysed by GC-MS, Viscometer and XRF, while the gas fraction was monitored online during the entire pyrolysis process by µ-GC. Substantial fractions of methane (20.7 vol %) and hydrogen (11.5 vol %) were produced. The solid residue (glass fibers covered by a thin carbonaceous layer) underwent an oxidative process at 500 and 600°C at different residence times to provide clean glass fibers free of organic residues. The effects of both pyrolysis and oxidative step on the glass fibers, obtained in different process conditions, were evaluated by SEM and Raman spectroscopy.

Surface treatment of alumina ceramic for improved adhesion to a glass fibre-reinforced polyester composite

The adhesion between an alumina ceramic and a glass fibre-reinforced polyester matrix composite has been investigated. The effect of various alumina surface treatments, including degreasing, etching, plasma, grit-blasting and silanisation, was evaluated. The physical and chemical surface properties were investigated by microscopy, profilometry, contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The analysis showed that the treatments removed organic contaminants from the alumina, resulting in higher surface free energies. Alumina/composite test specimens were prepared by a vacuum moulding technique, and the adhesive strength was evaluated using the fixed arm peel test. All surface treatments had a pronounced effect on the peel strength, and the adhesion was improved compared to the as-received alumina. This was verified by investigation of the fracture surfaces. The silane treatment produced a thin silane layer on the surface and had the greatest effect on the adhesive strength. This could be explained by the silane acting as an adhesion promoter between the alumina and the composite, better wetting of the more planar silane treated surface by the thermoplastic polyester, and a more defect-free alumina/polyester interphase.

Repercussion of Cenosphere Filler Size on Mechanical and Dry Sliding Wear Peculiarity of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites Using Taguchi Analysis and Neural Network

Abstract Filler plays a significant role in determining the properties and behavior of particulate composites. In this experimental study, mechanical and tribological behaviors of sub-micron size cenospheres filled glass-polyester composites are investigated. Cenospheres and glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites are prepared by hand lay-up technique. Composites are fabricated by filling 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% of 800 nm and 200 nm size of cenosphere filler particulate respectively along with 40 wt.% of glass fiber. Glass polyester composite without filler is also prepared for proportional analysis. A series of dry sliding wear test are conducted on a pin-on-disc machine with three sliding velocities of 1.57, 2.62 and 3.66 m/s under three different normal loading of 20, 25 and 40 N for three sliding distances of 1000, 2500 and 4000 m respectively. A statistics-based design of experiments approach is used by using Taguchi's orthogonal arrays. Results reveal that mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composites increase with a decrease in the particle size. Artificial neural network (ANN) approach is also applied to the friction and wear data for subsequent validation. Finally, optimal factor settings are determined using genetic algorithm (GA).

Glass fibres reinforced polyester composites degradation monitoring by surface analysis

The paper presents a novel method for quantification of the modifications that occur on the surface of different types of gel-coated glass fibre-reinforced polyester composites under artificial UV-ageing at 254nm. The method implies the adsorption of an ionic dye, namely methylene blue, on the UV-aged composite, and computing the CIELab colour space parameters from the photographic image of the coloured composite's surface. The method significantly enhances the colour differences between the irradiated composites and the reference, in contrast with the non-coloured ones. The colour modifications that occur represent a good indicative of the surface degradation, alteration of surface hydrophily and roughness of the composite and are in good correlation with the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and optical microscopy results. The proposed method is easier, faster and cheaper than the traditional ones.

Tensile and flexural properties of recycled glass fibre reinforced polyester composite

Composite materials are used in a wide range of applications. Unfortunately, composite materials have not been properly recycled, especially in thermoset-based polymer composites. Recycled glass reinforced polyester–polyester composite material from waste material was identified for this study. In the recycling process, the glass fibres were not separated from the polyester matrix, but instead the material was grinded into finely chopped substance which is to be used as reinforcement material for fabricating other composite materials. Compression moulding process was used for fabricating recycled glass fibre reinforced polyester plate. Load–extension and stress–extension curves of fabricated composite materials subject to tensile and flexural loading were produced, and then the mechanical properties of this material were determined experimentally. The effect of loading rate on flexural properties of recycled glass reinforced polyester–polyester materials was studied, and it was found that by increasing the strain rate, the flexural stiffness was increased.

Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide (ZnO) filled glass fiber reinforced polyester composites

This study aims at fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) filled glass fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) composites with varying concentrations of filler and investigation of their mechanical and thermal behavior. In this study, ZnO was dispersed in polyester, and laminates were fabricated by hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding. Mechanical properties were determined by flexural strength analysis, impact strength and hardness testing whereas thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Flexural strength of 3wt.% ZnO filled GFRP composite was improved significantly (up to 62.12%) in comparison to unfilled composite. Hardness, impact strength and thermal stability have also been found increased gradually with increase in ZnO loading.

Fire Properties of Elephant Grass Fiber and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

Natural fiber composites (NFC) and glass fiber composites (GFC) have been prepared by incorporating elephant grass fibers and glass fibers in to polyester matrix via hand layup technique. In this study, the fire properties of composites have been evaluated by cone calorimeter. The addition of elephant grass fiber has effectively reduced the average heat release rate (Av. HRR) and peak heat release rate (PHRR) of the matrix by 28 %, and 36 %, respectively. Maximum average heat rate emission and carbon monoxide yield of the bio composites decrease substantially compared with that of matrix. However, average carbon dioxide yield, and total smoke release values of matrix are slightly increased with the addition of the elephant grass fiber. The NFC ignites earlier, release greater levels of heat when compared with that of GFC. Average HRR, PHRR and THR values of NFC are about 39%, 71% and 38% greater than those of GFC, respectively. Further, theoretical models were used to predict time to flashover and FO classification of composites.