Abstract:
IIigh p~r1(mnancc composites are currently being used In the marine, automotive,
aerospace and defense industries. These industries demand materials with propeni~s
that arc similar or better than conventional metals at a fr,,<:tion or the weight. The
design of composite structures is challenging du~ to the complex mechanical behavior
of the structures and the number of design variables involved. A composite laminale
is typically formed from a number of fibcr-reinforced luyers having dir~ctional
properties. l3asically, lor each layer of the laminate, the design variables are the
choice of mal erial system, thickness und orienlalion of the layers.
'1he objective 0[' Ihis research work ""USto ~valuate the effects of glass fiber mats
(CSM and R,V1)orientation and the dimensions (3D) of orientation on the mechanical
propertie~ in compare with ~poxy matrix and other types 01"ori~n!.ations by testing
under tcnsile loading syslem. A die was designed prior 10manufacture the composite
samples and the samples were prepared a~ per ASTM standards. An Instron machine
was used for tensile loading test. All specimens were tested to faill1l'e in order to
characterize the elJ",cl of maximum strain on failure <;trcngthof the material. The fib~r
volume fraction~ (FVFs) of all types of composite specimen were mea~ufed in a
conventional method.
Experimental values were obtained for len~ilc modulus, maximum Sire", and the
str"in at maximum stress in all three directions. It was ~xperimentally found that
Composite of 3D urientation of CSM provid~d 81.46% higher strength, whereas other
horizontal orientations ofCSM with and without woven roving mat provided 43.73%,
52.53% and 56.2% higher slrength over epoxy matrix. The 3D oriented GFR
cOlllp(l~itealso absorbed 114.15% and 153.05% higher energy than epoxy matrix both
to initiate crack ilnd to fracture respectively. 'Whereas other types or horizontally
oriented GFR composites absorbed 85.69%, 76.0%, 35.23% and 93.37%, 91.1\4%,
39.11% higher energy than epoxy matrix both to initiate crack lmd to fracture
respectively. The 3D oriented GFR composite was, therefore, more toughened than
other types of composites.
