Structural and mechanical behaviour of glass fibre reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

In this research, an investigation was conducted on the mechanical properties of polyester resin composites produced by three different methods: hand lay-up, Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) and Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) methods, reinforced with randomly distributed discontinuous and continuous glass fibre mat. Firstly, tensile strength and elastic module were found to determine the composite plates' mechanical properties. Impact strength was determined by the Charpy impact test. To determine the deformation on the materials after impact, the samples exposed to low-speed drop weight were applied the 3-point bending test and their strength losses were determined. It was determined that the increase in fibre volume fractions increased the impact strength of the composite materials. However, the use of filler materials in composite structures decreased the mechanical properties and impact strength of composites.