Reinforced Polyester Resin Research Articles

Mechanical performance of oil palm empty fruit bunches fibre reinforced polyester resin

Studies on natural fibers reinforced composite has been growing rapidly due to abundant and availability of wide variety of natural fibers. One of the most promising and readily available natural fiber is oil palm empty fruits bunch (EFB), a side product of palm oil industries. This fiber could be converted into useful materials by combining them with other polymer, such as polyester resin, to produce biodegradable composite. Based on other research about empty fruit bunch (EFB), there is no research about empty fruit bunch reinforced polyester resin. Thus this research was conducted to investigate the performance of Polyester-EFB composite as well as their biodegradability. The composite was prepared by mixing certain amount of EFB (of 2-4 mm length) to polyester resin and hardened with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP). The resulted composite were characterized for their mechanical properties, water absorptivity and weight reduction over time. Polyester-EFB 50 have the highest value of tensile strength which is about 22.31 N/mm2. This result of Polyester-EFB 50 shows that the tensile properties of composites are markedly improved by adding fibers to a polymer matrix since fibers have much higher strength and stiffness values than those of the matrices.

In-and-out-of plane mechanical properties of hand lay-up vegetal fiber reinforced polyester resin composites

The results presented in this paper belong to the mechanical characterization of vegetal woven fabric reinforced composites with polyester resin as the matrix and fabrics made of cotton, jute and flax fibers. Test specimens were manufactured using a simple hand lay-up molding process. A group of test specimens was reinforced with the woven fabrics as delivered by the supplier, while another group was reinforced with woven fabrics that were chemically treated with Sodium hydroxide NaOH at 6% w/v for 48 hours. The fabrics were then neutralized and dried in an oven. Mechanical characterizations were performed using traction, compression, in-plane shear and interlaminar (out of plane) shear tests. Results show that the untreated flax fiber composite has the best specific properties among the three vegetal composites.

Ultrasonic monitoring of insulated block joints

Insulated block joints are essential components used in railway tracks. They are divided into circuits and are used for train detection and signalling. However, they also represent a weak point in the track system and have a finite life. Condition monitoring of these components for planning preventative maintenance is currently labour intensive, and can be significantly expensive for the rail operator. In this study, insulated block joints were fatigued via shear load, whilst being condition monitored for degradation using a normally incident ultrasonic technique. Tests were also initially performed on lap-joints and shear specimens to further understand the response of the ultrasonic signal to failure of the adhesive layer under controlled conditions. Dynamic reflection coefficients as well as the applied load were recorded in all tests, and results were compared to failure zones on the specimens. The results showed that the ultrasonic technique was able to determine the onset of failure and de-bonding of the adhesive layer in addition to degradation and wear. The technique was also able to highlight differences in performance between two different liners, pultruded glass reinforced polyester resin and a flexible glass fibre sheet, with the latter showing improved resistance. The outcomes of this study have highlighted the viability of condition monitoring insulated block joints using an ultrasonic approach and have provided a basis for a future field trial.

Utilization of Flyash as Filler Material in Hybrid Polyester Composites for Improved Thermo-Mechanical and Erosion Wear Behavior

The present work was carried out for the utilization of major quantities of flyash as filler material in the short fiber reinforced polyester resin composites in various engineering and structural applications. The incorporation of flyash modifies the hardness, tensile, flexural, impact and damping behavior of the composites. It is observed that hardness, flexural modulus and impact strength of flyash filled composites increases with increase in the flyash filler contents. Whereas, with the addition of flyash contents it is observed that there is decrease in tensile strength and flexural strength. But beyond the 10 wt.-% flyash filler addition in the composite the flexural strength increases. At the end, the erosion wear behavior of all the composites has been studied by Taguchi experimental design. It is found that unfilled glass polyester composite suffers greater erosion loss as compare to particulate filled glass polyester composites. The eroded surface morphology is examined by SEM and the related erosion wear mechanism is discussed in detail.

Thermal and mechanical behaviour of sub micron sized fly ash reinforced polyester resin composite

The utilization of particles reinforced resin matrix composites is being increased owing to its lower density and high strength to weight ratio. In the present study, an attempt has been made to synthesize fly ash particles reinforced polyester resin composite for engine cowling application. The thermal stability and mechanical behaviours such as hardness and flexural strength of the composite with 2, 3 and 4 weight % of reinforcement is studied and analyzed. The thermo gravimetric analysis indicates that the higher addition of reinforcement increases the decomposition temperature due to its refractory nature. It is also observed that the hardness increases with higher filler addition owing to the resistance of FA particles towards penetration. The flexural strength is found to increase up to the addition of 3% of FA particles, whereas the polyester resin composite prepared with 4% FA particles addition is observed to have low flexural strength owing to agglomeration of particles.

Thermal properties of porcelain reinforced polyester resin composites

Porcelain reinforced polyester resin composites (PPCs) having different compositions have been prepared by compression molding. Thermal properties of PPCs were studied by means of TG-DTA and TMA. The influence of porcelain content on thermal properties of PPCs was studied in detail. Thermal conductivities of PPCs decreased from 0.00068 cal/cm sec°C to 0.00030 cal/cm sec°C by the addition of porcelain from 10 to 60%. The results of this study reveal their good thermal stabilities. The 50% degradation temperature of pure Polyester resin was 401.5°C, but that of the PPC-1, PPC-2 and PPC-4 were 406.3°C, 407.8°C, and 417.3°C respectively. The morphology of the composites was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(2), 147-152, 2017

Mechanical properties of waste paper/jute fabric reinforced polyester resin matrix hybrid composites

Hybrid composites were prepared with jute fabric and un-shredded newspaper in polyester resin matrix. The experiment was designed 1:2 weights ratio jute and unshredded newspaper to have 42 (w/w)% fibre content hybrid composites and two different sequences jute/paper/jute and paper/jute/paper of waste newspaper and jute fabric arrangement. Reinforcing material is characterized by chemically, X-ray diffraction methods, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and tensile testing. The tensile, flexural and interlaminar shear strength and fracture surface morphology of composites were evaluated and compared. It was found that tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composite are higher than that of pure paper-based composite but less than pure woven jute composite. The hybridization effect of woven jute fabric and layering pattern effect on mechanical properties of newspaper/woven jute fabric hybrid composites were studied. The test results of composites were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (α=0.05), it showed significant differences among the groups.

Effect of variation of low cost reinforcement on natural frequency Of polyester resin glass fibre hybrid composites

Fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are the class of composite materials finding vast applications in automotive, aircraft, defence, sports and appliance industries. Resonance caused by vibrating mechanical system results failure of machine components but if somehow natural frequency is increased or decreased from the range of operating machine member resonance phenomenon could be avoided. Hybrid composites specimen were fabricated using glass fiber reinforced polyester resin matrix with varying of fly ash (weight 0%, 6%, 12%, 18%, 24%, 30%) respectively fabricated using hand lay-up method. Impact hammer tests were done on these rectangular thin plate specimens. Test results from Impact hammer test was analysed by using “Smart office analyser” to find out the natural frequency for each sample. The result revealed that the natural frequency increases up to 12 weight% of fly ash addition and then decreases. The addition of 10 to 12 weight% of fly ash gives the maximum natural frequency and component made from this composition can be used on system which is vibrating below this range of frequency.

Study of Thermal Properties of Granite Powder (Scrap) Reinforced Polyester Resin Composite

Composite materials are now widely used in engineering application and the scope of its application is widespread mainly for its contrapuntal properties. In this research work composites were prepared by crosslinking the polyester resin with Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide and finally reinforced with the Granite scrap powder. Granite stone as filler was used at 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% with respect to the weight of unsaturated polyester resin with styrene monomer at 7.5% as constant basis mentioning that 0% sample (without Granite Filler) was also prepared to compare the results with it. Thermal analysis of the prepared composite such as Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Thermo-mechanical Analysis (TMA) and Thermal Conductivity of the composites were analyzed along with the SEM analysis to find out correlation between thermal properties with composite surface topology. Thermo gravimetric analysis is done to determine the kinetics of thermal degradation and Thermo mechanical analysis is to determine expansion co-efficient along with Tg of polyester resin and granite blends composite. To avoid the thermo-oxidative degradation, thermal analysis was carried out for samples in nitrogen atmosphere at heating rates of 20°C/min. Thermal Conductivity analysis is performed to determine the ability of the composite to conduct heat at various temperatures.

Dynamic Analysis of OMMT Nanoparticle Reinforced Polyester Resin GFR-PS Foam Sandwich Laminates

Objectives: To study the effect of modified (OMMT) nanoclay polyester resin on dynamic properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced (GFR)- Polystyrene Foam (PS) sandwich laminates experimentally. Methods/Analysis: The GFR– PS foam sandwich laminates are fabricated by hand lay-up process. Free vibration test has been conducted to evaluate dynamic properties of glass laminate and sandwich laminates. The morphological picture of the nanoclay dispersion in the polymer fracture samples has been investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Findings: The dynamic properties of the nano polyester sandwich have been significantly improved at 4% of nanoclay loading. Application/Improvement: From the results it is observed that, the effect of nano particle in fabricated composite significantly increases the dynamic properties.

Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Sand Reinforced Polyester Resin Composite

Sand reinforced polyester composite have been prepared by compression molding method with a variety of range (0,15,30,45 60%) sand respect to the unsaturated polyester resin. various parameter like mechanical, Physical and thermal properties of sand reinforced, polyester resin composite have been determined by various technique like water compressive strength ,flexural strength , hardness and thermal analysis. Physical properties like density and water intake increases with the addition of sand ,compressive strength increases but flexure strength decreases with the amount of sand, on hardness test, Vickers hardness increases but on leeb rebound it decreases with amount of sand, and finally thermal conductivity decreases with the addition of sand.

Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Sand Reinforced Polyester Resin Composite

Sand reinforced polyester composite have been prepared by compression molding method with a variety of range (0,15,30,45 60%) sand respect to the unsaturated polyester resin. various parameter like mechanical, Physical and thermal properties of sand reinforced, polyester resin composite have been determined by various technique like water compressive strength ,flexural strength , hardness and thermal analysis. Physical properties like density and water intake increases with the addition of sand ,compressive strength increases but flexure strength decreases with the amount of sand, on hardness test, Vickers hardness increases but on leeb rebound it decreases with amount of sand, and finally thermal conductivity decreases with the addition of sand.

Comparison of Effects of Alkali Treatment on Flax Fibre Reinforced Polyester and Polyester-Biopolymer Blend Resins

In this study, flax fibres were treated initially with a 2.5, 5, and 7% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution at room temperature for one hour. Among different treatments, fibres treated with 2.5% alkali solution showed optimal properties. Hence, for further studies, all flax fibres were treated with 2.5% solution of alkali solution, but at different temperatures. In the next phase of study, biocomposites were prepared by immersing fibre mats in resin bath and compression moulding using a hot press. Two polymers: polyester and a polyester-biopolymer blend, Envirez® 1807 were used as matrices. Moisture absorption and flexure tests were conducted on the composites. It was determined that composites with treated fibres showed reduction in moisture uptake compared to those with untreated fibres. Composites with alkali treated fibres showed an increase in flexural properties as well as storage modulus which was attributed to effects of chemical treatment. Composites made using Envirez® 1807 which has about 22% of natural polymer showed comparable properties with those made using polyester resin system.

Evaluation and Optimization of Tensile Strength Responses of Coir Fibres Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composites (CFRP) Using Taguchi Robust Design

In this study, control factors which included aspect ratio of fibres, volume fraction of fibres and fibres orientation were the focus for determining the optimum tensile strengths of coir fibres reinforced polyester resin composites. After using Archimedes principle to determine the volume fraction of fibres, tensile test was conducted on the samples of treated and untreated coir fibres reinforced polyester resin composites, respectively. For the optimum properties to be obtained, a Universal Testing Machine-TUE-C-100 was used for the conducted tensile tests which established the levels of control factors settings for quality characteristics needed to optimize the mechanical properties being investigated. Applying Taguchi robust design technique for the greater-the-better, the highest signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) for the quality characteristics being investigated was obtained employing Minitab 16 software. The optimum values of the control factors were established for treated coir fibres reinforced polyester resin composites and untreated coir fibres reinforced polyester resin composites. The treated coir fibres reinforced polyester matrix composite has the optimum tensile strength of 42.7 N/mm2 while the untreated coir fibres reinforced matrix composite has the optimum tensile strength of 21.9 N/mm2. The reinforcement combinations of control factors contribute greatly to the tensile properties, and the treated coir fibres reinforced polyester composites are stronger in tension than the untreated coir fibres reinforced polyester composites.

Structural, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of carbon black reinforced polyester resin composites

ABSTRACTCarbon black (CB) reinforced polyester resin (PR) composites (CPC) have been fabricated from mechanical mixtures of liquid PR and CB powder having 0–50 wt% CB contents and cured with 1% of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide at room temperature under a pressure of 50 MPa. The samples have been examined by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical test, micromechanical test, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electrical test. FTIR spectra confirm the physical and chemical bond formations between CB and PR. XRD shows a very partial crystalline structure in cured PR and hexagonal structure in CB particles. SEM exhibits a clear dispersion of CB particles in PR matrix at lower loading and aggregates at higher loading. With the increase of fillers, while the tensile and flexural strengths of CPCs decrease, the Young's and tangent modulii increase by 80 and 100%, respectively. These increments are found consistent with the theoretical values. The degree of physical crosslinking between CB and PR as well as the aspect ratio of CB in CPCs are found to increase with the increase of filler. A remarkable increase in microhardness of about 61% at 50 wt% CB content is observed. The TGA represents that the thermal degradation temperature for pure PR is 373°C and that for CPC is 393°C. The dielectric constant of CPCs decreases with increasing frequency, whereas the ac‐ and dc‐ conductivities of CPC are found to increase with CB content. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40421.

Residual Tensile Stress of Kenaf Polyester and Kenaf Hybrid under Post Impact and Open Hole Tensile

Abstract Natural fibres have emerged as the potential reinforcement material for composites and have thus gained an attraction by many researchers. This is mainly due to their applicable benefits as they are light weight and offer low cost compared to synthetic fibre composites. Kenaf fibres recently have been a substitute material in many weight-critical applications in areas such as aerospace, automotive and other high demanding industrial sectors. In this study, natural fibre kenaf composites and kenaf/fibreglass hybrid composites were fabricated by a combination of hand lay-up and cold-press methods. The post impact tensile and open hole tensile of long kenaf fibre composites with and without the addition of fibreglass were further studied. The fracture behaviour verified qualitatively via scanning electron microscopy. A significant improvement in tensile strength and modulus were indicated by the introduction of long kenaf/woven fibreglass hybrid composite. Investigation on the tensile and low velocity impact of kenaf composites and kenaf/fibreglass reinforced polyester resin composites revealed that the composites were seriously impaired when a low energy impact was applied. The tensile strength of open hole long kenaf composites was more notch sensitive than long kenaf/woven glass hybrid composite. Although the hybrid composite was stronger than pure kenaf composites, the damage progression mechanisms in the two materials were very similar. In the above case the polymer matrix failed initially. It is followed by fibre matrix debonding and finally ending in fibre ruptures or pull-outs.

Axial Crushes on Composite Laminated Square Tubes under Compressive Loading

In this paper presents the effect of energy absorption on thin-walled aluminum cross-section square tubes wrapped with woven E-glass fiber laminated composite subjected to quasi-static axial compression. The compression test was carried out experimentally to examine the amount of energy can be absorbed as well as to observe for failure behavior for each specimens. The wall-thicknesses aluminum square of 1.9 mm was investigated and woven E-glass fiber laminate reinforced polyester resin was examined. Two different numbers of layers woven E-glass were investigated and examined. Result obtained from experimental analysis such that initial peak load, mean load, quasi-static absorbed energy against displacement curves were recoded and plotted then compared for each specimen profile. Results indicated that the tubes crashworthy structure was affected significantly by different number of layers wrapped on wall aluminum square profile and also that the effect of crushing behaviors and failure modes was discussed.

Crush Force Efficiency of Composite Square Profile under Off-Axis Loading

The present paper determines the effect of crush force efficiency on laminate glass wrapped on aluminum cross-section square tubes under quasi-static loading. The analysis was examined via experimentally. The wall-thicknesses aluminum square of 1.6 mm was investigated on wrapped woven composite type of E-glass fiber reinforced polyester resin. Two different numbers of layers woven E-glass were investigated and examined. Result obtained from experimental analysis such that initial peak load, mean load, versus displacement curves were compared for each specimen. Results showed that the tubes energy absorption was affected significantly by different number of layers wrapped on wall aluminum square profile and also that the effect of crushing behaviors and failure modes was discussed.

Analysis of Crushing Laminated Composite Square Tubes under Quasi-Static Loading

This paper present on discusses the effect of crashworthiness parameters on pultrusion and hybrid laminated composite square tubes via experimentally. The wall-thicknesses of 2.1 for pultrusion and 1.6 mm aluminum wrap 1 layered were examined at the material fiber type of E-glass reinforced polyester resin of square cross-section subjected to axial quasi-static loading. Comparison has been made for both of type of composite material. During experimental observation, some of crushing modes on stages were identified as initial peak load stage, progressive crushing stage and compaction zone stage. The effects of crushing parameters and failure modes were analyzed and discussed. Results showed that the tubes energy absorption capability was affected significantly by varying of different type of composite in terms of composite fabrication and variable aspect of cross-section. It is also found that different type of fabrication on different manufacturing process of composite reveal in terms of internal energy during crushed events.

Energy Absorption of Hybrid Composite Tubes under Axial Compression

The effect of specific absorbed energy on pultruded profile and thin-walled aluminum composite square cross-section tubes were studied via experimentally. The type of strand mat E-glass reinforced polyester resin was conducted in this study. The specimens of square pultruded and thin-walled wrapped strand mat E-glass composite were compressed under quasi-static of obliquely loadings from the top moving plat platen. For each specimen of composite tubes, triggering mechanism was applied on frontal end top of the tube to obtain the progressive failure throughout the crash event. The pultruded profile tube wall-thicknesses of 2.1 mm and thin-walled aluminum 1.9 mm thickness wrapped 3 layer woven fabric were examined, and the effects of crushing behaviors and failure modes were discussed. Results showed that the tubes energy absorption capability was affected significantly by different type of composite made in term of internal energy.