Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Research Articles

Analysis of load and contact mechanic on the composite structural: case study on GFRP composite

When creating lightweight structures to lower the rail vehicle's overall weight, composite materials with fiber reinforcements are the material of choice. Because of its excellent strength, low weight, high durability, stiffness, damping ability, flexural strength, resistance to wear and tear, impact resistance, indentation resistance, and corrosion resistance, composite materials. This study proposes to analyze the load and contact mechanic on the glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) composite structural under tensile and flexural load. Tensile load 17.490 N was applied in 2 model, with Tab and without Tab. The flexural loading 669 N was applied in 6 models with the 3-load types and 2-contact mechanic types. The stress values and locations of the proposed finite elements analysis (FEA) modeling results were verified through experiments for tensile loads and flexural loads. The FEA modeling of GFRP composites under tensile load with tabs and without tabs have same the maximum stress location. The location at the outer surface of the grip splitter line. The stress 107 MPa on the gauge length area of FEA modeling and the experimental are same. FEA modelling under flexural loads, when using bonded contact shows that the location and value of stress concentration is not same as experimental. Using frictionless contact model have the value and location of maximum stress same as experimental. The FEA model 5 with Face load and frictionless mechanical contact has the stress concentration that is closest to the experimental results. By considering the type of load applied to the surface and the frictionless contact mechanics, FEA modeling can be used to predict the behavior of composite structures under bending loads

Study on the Wear Behaviour of Aluminium foam Reinforced Glass Fibre Epoxy Composites

Hand layup was used to fabricate the glass fibre reinforced aluminium foam epoxy composites in this study. On the manufactured materials, dry sliding wear experiments were performed. The effect of wearprocess parameters such asapplying load (kg), speed (m/s), and sliding distance (m) on specific wear rate (Ws) was investigatedand the obtained results were compared with neat glass fibre reinforced epoxy composite in this work. The outcome of these results showed that specific wear rate (Ws) of glassfibre epoxy composite containing aluminium foam decreased as compared with neat glass fibre reinforced polymer composites. Experimental results showed that a minimum wear rate of 10.1 �m was attained for the sliding velocity (1.5 m/s), Applied load (2 kg), and sliding distance (1000 m) in the fabricated composite laminates. It was observed thatthe resistance to wear in glass fibre reinforced aluminium foam composite was mainly due to the bond strength between aluminium foam and epoxy.

Influence of Process Parameters on Kerf Width in Abrasive Waterjet Machining of GFRP Composites

This study investigates the influence of process parameters on kerf width in abrasive waterjet (AWJ) machining of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. The experimental analysis was conducted using a Taguchi L27 orthogonal array to optimize the machining parameters: pressure, feed rate, abrasive flow rate, and standoff distance. The top kerf width (TKW) and bottom kerf width (BKW) were measured to evaluate the impact of these parameters. Results indicate that higher pressures and abrasive flow rates generally increase both TKW and BKW due to enhanced material removal rates. Conversely, increased feed rates tend to reduce kerf widths, highlighting the importance of optimizing cutting speeds. Standoff distance exhibited a less pronounced effect but still influenced the kerf widths. The optimal parameters for minimizing TKW and BKW were identified, providing valuable insights for improving precision and efficiency in AWJ machining of GFRP composites. These findings contribute to the development of more effective manufacturing practices for high-performance composite materials.

New Anchorage Technique for GFRP Flexural Strengthening of Concrete Beams Using Bolts-End Anchoring System

The concept of external glass FRP composite confinement is a current process for strengthening concrete beamssubjected to static loads. End anchorage glass FRP composites of 80 mm width and 90–130 mm length with differentthicknesses (2.4 and 4.8 mm) have been fixed at the bottom of beams with bolts of various diameters (6 and 10mm). It is concluded that the load capacity of the BEGFPC beams is improved by increasing the end-anchorage glassFRP composite thickness (about 98–188%). In addition, the BEGFPC system with bolts of 6 mm diameter hassignificantly improved the flexibility of beams. In contrast, the 10 mm bolts in diameter give a high ultimate load,whatever their quantity. Therefore, combining bolts with diameters of 6 and 10 mm would be the best solution forincreasing the ultimate load and ductility of the retrofitted beams.

Statistical modeling of 3D fiber geometry in pultruded GFRP composite: A multi-scale approach

The fiber geometry is a crucial determinant of the fiber reinforced polymer composites’ mechanical properties. Specifically, the manufacturing process of stretching and gradual curving in pultruded composites invariably results in complex 3D fiber geometries. Despite its significance, there is still lacking a statistical method to accurately describe these spatially curved fiber shapes. This paper presents a novel multi-scale mathematical approach for modeling the complex 3D fiber geometry in pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, which includes the analysis of fiber misalignment and waviness at two scales. At the mesoscopic level, a modified elliptical symmetry angular Gaussian (ESAG) model effectively characterizes the fiber misalignment. Simultaneously, at the micro scale, a cosine series representation is employed for capturing local fiber waviness. The approach is verified with XCT scanning results of pultruded GFRP specimens. The current statistical modeling method provides a multi-scale approach for geometry analysis and further simulation of pultruded composite materials.

Assessment of Environmental Impact on Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Pipes Mechanical and Thermal Properties.

Glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are widely used due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, their properties can degrade under different environmental conditions, affecting long-term reliability. This study examines the effects of temperature and chemical environments on GFRP pipes. Specimens were exposed to salt water and alkaline solutions at 20 °C and 50 °C. Diffusion coefficients and tensile and flexural properties were measured. Advanced techniques (TGA, FT-IR, and XRD) showed a 54.73% crystallinity difference between samples at 20 °C/air and 50 °C/salt water. Elevated temperatures and alkaline conditions accelerated degradation, with diffusion coefficients 68.38% higher at 50 °C/salt water compared to at 20 °C/salt water. Flexural strength decreased by 47.65% and tensile strength by 13.89%, at 50 °C/alkaline compared to 20 °C/air. Temperature was identified as the primary factor affecting mechanical performance, while alkaline environments significantly influenced tensile and flexural modulus. These results underscore the importance of considering environmental factors for the durability of GFRP composites.

GFRP COMPOSITES: A MATERIAL TO STRENGTHEN REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS WITH WEB OPENINGS FOR SHEAR

Buildings that require mechanical and electrical services must have utility pipes and ducts. The services include air conditioning, power supply, telephone lines, network cables, sewerage lines, water supply and etc. A reinforced concrete (RC) deep beam with web openings experiences excessive cracking and deflection, as well as a decrease in beam stiffness. Enlargement of these openings near supports would reduce beams’ capacity for shear. Hence, analysis and design of such beams require careful consideration, particularly with regard to their performance. In addition, design compliance to relevant codes and standards, and selection of suitable material properties and construction techniques are needed. When such an enlargement is unavoidable, strengthening of beam for shear and flexure is necessary. In this study, the use of GFRP (Glass-Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composites for strengthening of RC beams with openings is experimentally investigated. As compared to the control beam, test results showed that using GFRP was found to be effective in increasing the shear strength of beams with openings by 40% to 60%. Test results of beams with web openings exhibited higher shear strength than the predicted values whereas for strengthened beams with GFRP, code predictions are found conservative.

Impact of nanohybrid on the performance of non-reinforced biocomposites and glass-fiber reinforced biocomposites: Synthesis, mechanical properties, and fire behavior

Biobased polymers are gaining increasing popularity particularly within key industries such as construction and building materials. However, glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites (GFRCs) based on biobased epoxy thermoset are inherently vulnerable against fire, producing huge fire hazards and eventually loss of structural integrity. In this work, a cobalt-based nanohybrid filler (CNH) was designed and synthesized to act as a high-performance synergist for biobased epoxy resin when combined with phosphorous flame retardants (FRs). An optimized formulation was found, resulting in a flame-retarded epoxy resin with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 39.7 % and a V 0 rating in the vertical burning test. The GFRCs were then fabricated with optimized formulation. Interestingly, results showed that the percentage of peak heat release (PHRR) rate reduction was retarded from 74 % for the mixed resin to 36 % for GFRCs, potentially due to the interference of glass fiber. The optimized laminate with CNH showed improved mechanical properties at ambient temperature. Additionally, delayed time-to-failure values were found when sample coupons with CNH were subjected to a constant axial force loading while being ignited and burning, indicating higher resistance against fire for mechanical integrity.

Optimization of input parameters during drilling of glass fiber reinforced polymer composite using grey relational analysis

Optimization of input parameters during drilling of glass fiber reinforced polymer composite using grey relational analysis

Finite Element Analysis of Sandwich Plates with Different Percentages of Delamination

Abstract: The present study pinpoints the effect of delamination in multilayer glass fiber-reinforced composite slabs. The unit cell method of homogenization has been used to find the effect of air inclusion in the glass fiber-reinforced polymer composite. The natural frequency has been obtained up to different modes on every condition. The modal analysis module of ANSYS has been used to obtain the natural frequency for different boundary conditions The present study considered 0% to 10 % of total volume as delamination in four steps (0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10%). Two types of boundary were considered in the present study, in the first condition the plate is fixed from all four sides, the second two sides are assumed to be free, and the remaining two sides are fixed.

Investigation and selection of optimistic material for two wheeler brake disc: An experimental and finite element approach

The brake disc is a vital component in the braking system of the automobile which helps in reducing the speed or stopping the vehicle whenever required. Whereas, increasing the effectiveness of the braking system is highly challenging for the researchers to ensure safe driving by minimizing the stopping distance of the vehicle during braking. However, the performance of the braking system mainly relies on the brake disc material utilized in the braking system. In the current trend, the usage of alternate materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio is in practice to reduce the fuel consumption of the automobile. Hence, researchers concentrate on Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites and Metal Matrix Composites to manufacture automotive components. In this research work, the performance of the existing mild steel brake rotor is correlated with brake discs fabricated using different materials such as zirconium-coated steel, AA7075+nSiCp, AA6061+nano Rice Husk Ash particles, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer composite, and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer composites. The effectiveness of a two-wheeler braking system is reported concerning the stopping distance, disc weight, friction coefficient, and wear resistance properties of the brake disc material. Moreover, a 3D Finite Element Model (3D FEM) is also developed and the braking mechanism is simulated. The experimental and FEA results reveal that SiC reinforced AA7075 composite shows compromising properties as required such as maximum stress of 558 MPa, excellent wear resistance, good friction coefficient of 0.40, good temperature dissipation property, and effective stopping distance of 81 m.

Development and characterization of hemp/carbon and hemp/glass hybrid and novel functionally graded hybrid composites for structural applications

AbstractThe main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of combining natural and synthetic fibers on the mechanical characteristics of hybrid and novel functionally graded hybrid composites by considering hemp as natural fiber and carbon and glass as synthetic fibers. Before manufacturing, the natural fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to remove the impurities on the fiber surface. The fibers were reinforced in an epoxy‐based matrix using a hand‐layup technique. The volumetric fraction of the hybrid composites was 40% fibers and 60% matrix. Different types of composites, such as plain fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), sandwich hybrid (SH), alternative hybrid (AH), and functionally graded hybrid (FH), were manufactured from hybridizations of hemp/carbon and hemp/glass. In accordance with ASTM standards, the tensile, compression, flexural, short beam shear, water absorption, and wettability properties of composites were determined. FH composites with hemp fiber at the top surface had the highest improvement in tensile strength, stiffness and compressive strength compared with pure hemp FRP (HFRP) composites. Hemp SH composites had the highest improvement in flexural and short beam properties in both hybridizations compared with HFRP composites due to the stacking of synthetic fiber at the outer layers. Scanning electronic microscopic (SEM) studies identified the failure mechanism of the tensile failure specimens and also the effect of mercerization on fiber surfaces. In conclusion, this work identified the structural capacity of hybrid composites and emphasizes that FH and hemp SH composites can replace glass FRP composites in structural applications.Highlights Treating hemp fiber with 2 g/L of NaOH for an hour had a better impact. Functionally graded composites had better in‐plane strength and stiffness. Composites made with synthetic fiber on the outer layers were good at bending. In structural applications, hemp/carbon hybrid composites can replace GFRP.

Study on Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Filled with Nano Egg-shell Powder

Polymeric materials, when reinforced with synthetic fibers like glass, carbon, and aramid, offer notable advantages including increased stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional materials such as wood, concrete, and steel. Among these options, glass fiber stands out due to its affordability and widespread availability. Glass fiber reinforced polymer composites exhibit moderate mechanical properties, which can be significantly enhanced by incorporating nano fillers like eggshell powder. This study explores the utilization of nano eggshell powder as well as methods for effectively integrating nano fillers into polymer composites to create value-added products. Four types of composites, varying in weight proportions of nano eggshell powders, were prepared using the hand lay-up technique for mechanical and thermal characterizations. Various mechanical properties including tensile strength, flexural strength, impact behavior, as well as thermal properties via TGA and DMA analysis were investigated. The results indicate that incorporating the optimal amount of nano fillers significantly improves the overall strength of glass fiber reinforced composite materials, leading to cost savings of over 30%. This suggests that nano eggshell fillers hold great potential in composite manufacturing, particularly for substituting high-cost glass fibers in low load-bearing applications.

Experimental optimization of CuO and MgO hybrid nanoparticle reinforcement ratios to enhance fatigue life of GFRP composites

AbstractThis study investigated the optimization of CuO and MgO nanoparticle reinforcement ratios within glass fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, and it examined the impact of the hybrid mixture of oxide powders on the mechanical properties of the GFRPs. The study aims to improve the mechanical properties of GFRPs by combining these two powerful nanofillers in various weight ratios to find the best combination to obtain the best fatigue life. Tensile‐tensile fatigue tests were conducted on 25 samples containing hybrid CuO and MgO nanoparticles ranging from 0.0 to 0.8 wt% in 0.2% increments. The test was conducted using a computer‐controlled servo‐hydraulic fatigue device. It was found that the GFRP composite reinforced with hybrid nanoparticles improved the fatigue life. The CuO proportion in the composites partially increased the brittleness properties, while the MgO proportion partially increased the stiffness according to the results. It was found that 0.6 wt% MgO–0.4 wt% CuO and 0.2 wt% MgO–0.6 wt% CuO GFRP composites demonstrated the highest fatigue life yielding at the 39.5k, and 13.7k cycle at 70%, and 80% load level, respectively. The best fatigue life was yielded at the 128k cycle with the 0.4 wt% MgO and 0.6 wt% CuO sample at the 60% load level. According to experimental hysteresis energy loss, 0.4 wt% MgO–0.2 wt% CuO GFRP composite was found to have the highest energy loss. The energy loss increased by approximately 51% in this composite compared to the non‐reinforced composite. The fracture surfaces of a fatigue sample were shown with the SEM image.Highlights The GFRP composites were produced by combining MgO and CuO as a hybrid reinforcement. Analyzed fatigue life using hysteresis curves and S–N graphs. The fatigue life of GFRP composites was improved with hybrid nanofiller content. As compared to separate reinforcements with CuO or MgO, the hybrid nanoparticle reinforcement enhanced fatigue life more.

Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Pulse Compression Favorable Analysis Approach

Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Pulse Compression Favorable Analysis Approach

The influence of hygrothermal aging on the hoop tensile strength of glass fiber wound polymer composites fabricated via filament winding technique

The study investigates the impact of moisture environment treatment, on the hoop tensile strength (HTS) of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, through hygrothermal aging. GFRP cylinders were fabricated with varied parameters—volume fraction, winding angle, and stacking sequences using a filament winding machine. The fabricated samples are subjected to hygrothermal aging using seawater and tap water with oil at 80 °C for 1080 h (45 days). The HTS tests were performed on unaged and aged samples. There was a reduction in HTS for aged samples which is attributed to heat, seawater contamination, and oil. The highest and lowest HTS values recorded are 402.9 MPa and 118.3 MPa for unaged and tap water with oil-aged samples respectively. HTS in aged samples is compared with unaged samples. The study opens up avenues in identifying the best-suitable combination for retaining HTS under various aging conditions.

Statistical analysis to examine the influence of thermal aging on hybrid glass epoxy polymer composites with fillers of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes

AbstractE‐glass fibers are widely preferred due to ease of processing and its low cost, which has substantial scope in the fields of electronics and electrical insulation applications. Because of its low strength and corrosion resistance, use of E‐glass fibers is limited in aerospace and automotive applications. There is a need for enhancing the properties of the composite to overcome such limitations. Therefore, an attempt is made to introduce multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as fillers into E‐glass fibers to meet the industry needs. In the current study, woven glass fiber of 5 layers and multi‐walled nano carbon fillers of 2, 4 and 6 by wt%, LY556 epoxy resin, and HY951 hardener were used to prepare 4 different type of composites along with the neat epoxy glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GFRP). The hand‐layup route was used in the composite preparation due to its low cost, technological feasibility, and simple process setup. The developed samples were characterized for mechanical properties via tensile, flexural and impact tests. Tribological characteristics were performed by air jet erosion test. Chauvenet's criterion is applied for identifying the outliers (if any) from the data of repeated test properties. Taguchi's (orthogonal array) is selected for obtaining optimal hybrid composite, which yield better mechanical properties. Empirical relations are developed for the material properties in terms of process variables. The sample (4 wt% MWCNT) exhibited enhancement of 17.27% in tensile strength, 6% of impact strength and 7.3% of flexural strength when compared with neat epoxy GFRP. This hybrid composite is considered for thermal aging and observed at 60°C, 8% increase in tensile, 7% increase of impact and 15% in flexural strength due to the precipitation on carbon nano tubes along the gain boundaries. The present study recommends 4% MWCNT fillers in developing hybrid glass epoxy polymer composites for use in aerospace, automotive and civil construction industries due to economic and technological feasibility.Highlights Utilize low‐cost E‐glass fibers in electronics and electrical insulation applications. Improve composite properties for aerospace and automotive industries. Develop hybrid glass epoxy composites with 2 to 6 wt% MWCNT fillers. Examine wear characteristics under air jet erosion and study the impact of thermal aging on mechanical properties. Apply Chauvenet's criterion for outlier identification in measured properties datasets.

Failure analysis of glass fiber and basalt fiber reinforced polymer composites under an extreme environment with high‐temperature, high‐pressure and H2S/CO2 exposure

AbstractFiber‐reinforced polymers composites (FRPs) are widely used in the industrial field, but their failure mechanism in extreme environments is usually unclear. In this work, the effect of high‐temperature, high‐pressure and H2S/CO2 extreme environment, similar to oil and gas field conditions, on raw fibers and unidirectional FRPs was investigated. The results showed that the glass fibers (GFs) suffered extensive degradation with the presence of metal sulfides in the precipitate, whereas basalt fibers (BFs) showed localized degradation. The flexural modulus of glass fiber reinforced polymer composite (GFRP) after degradation decreased by 28.8% compared to 25.6% for the basalt fiber reinforced polymer composite (BFRP). The interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength of the BFRP decreased by 20.3% and 24.7% respectively. In contrast, the GFRP had a reduction of 55.2% in flexural strength after degradation. Finite element method (FEM) analysis showed that the GFRP exhibited severe cohesive interface damage, while the primary failure mode of BFRP remained essentially unchanged with a combination of fiber damage and cohesive interface damage. This study confirms the superior degradation resistance of BF/BFRP over GF/GFRP in the simulated environment and highlights its promising application potential in oil and gas field service.Highlights Filament winding was used to fabricate the GFRP and BFRP. Revealed distinct surface morphology changes in GFs and BFs under simulated oil and gas field conditions. Superior degradation resistance of BFRP over GFRP was found in the extreme environment. Demonstrated superior chemical stability and mechanical properties of BFRP over GFRP. Used FEM to investigate the failure modes of FRPs before and after exposure.

Influence of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites: An experimental and analytical approach

AbstractAs a consequence of their magnificent performance like mechanical, electrical and chemical properties, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are widely used as a secondary reinforcement in composite field. It has been developed by arc discharging process under atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, MWCNTs doped nano‐composite were developed through hand lay‐up and followed by vacuum bagging techniques. Quasi – isotropic symmetrical laminate of eight layers (0/90)/(±45)/(±45)/(0/90)//(0/90)/(±45)/(±45)/(0/90) were fabricated under room temperature. To fabricate the composite laminates, purified MWCNTs were homogeneously dispersed in glass fiber reinforced epoxy with 0.5%, 1.25%, and 2 wt% loading. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, strain to failure and fracture behavior of unfilled and MWCNTs doped composite laminates were evaluated. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) was employed to evaluate the structural and morphological characteristics of advanced nano‐composites. Reinforcement effect is found to be more pronounced in 1.25% MWCNTs embedded glass fiber reinforced polymer. This reinforcement effect was corroborated by tensile fractography which depicted by hackle region. Results indicated that tensile strength of 1.25 wt% nano‐composite increased by 47.36% with respect to 0.5 wt% MWCNT doped composites.Highlights Development of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by arcing process. Fabrication of MWCNTs doped glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. Mechanical characterization of nano‐composites. Modeling of nano‐composites by Halpin‐Tsai equation. Fractrography of nano‐composites in details.

Synthesis of glass FRP-natural fiber hybrid composites (NFHC) and its mechanical characterization

This research paper presents the synthesis of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (Glass-FRP) and Natural Fiber-Hybrid Composites (NFHC) using Hand Lay-up techniques. The aim of the this research is on assessing mechanical characteristics of composites made from different natural fibers, including jute, flax, coir, and hair fibers. The study sought to evaluate the influence of natural fiber addition on mechanical characteristics of the composite material and to emphasize the significance of altering fiber type, orientation, resin type, and curing conditions to optimize composite characteristics for particular applications. The mechanical characteristics of these composites were evaluated using tensile and flexural testing. This study significantly enhances the mechanical properties of Glass-FRP composites by incorporating Jute fibers, showcasing a superior tensile strength of 71.29 MPa and the highest flexural strength of 67.73 MPa. The investigation showed that the combination of natural and glass fibers may produce a lightweight, highly-strengthen composite material with enhanced mechanical characteristics that can be employed in a wide range of technical applications.