International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

Study of Mechanical Behaviour of Polymer/Glass

Fibre Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

Puttaswamaiah. S1 , Maruthi B. H2 , K. Channakeshavalu3 ,Sanketh.S4

1, 2, 3 & 4 Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, East West Institute of Technology

ABSTRACT – The PMC’s are slowly emerging form realm composite material properties is quite costly and time
of advanced material & replacing conventional materials in a consuming because they are functions of geometry,
wide variety of applications. In this Work laminates are fabrication process, matrix [3].
fabricated by a hand layup technique with and without fibres
(Neat/pure matrix).The bi woven (WSM) glass fibre Laminates are composite material where different
reinforced with polyester and epoxy resin as an adhesive. The layers of materials give them the specific character of
casio4 filler material is added to resin to improve the
composite material having a specific function to perform.
mechanical properties. Hardener Hy-951 triethylene
tetramine is added to epoxy/glass fibre & accelerator, catalyst In a matrix based structural composites, the matrix serves
are added to Polyester/glass fibre for activation purpose. The two paramount purposes i.e. binding the reinforcement
specimens are cut as per ASTM standards from the earlier phases in a place and deforming to distribute the stresses
prepared laminates. The laminated composite materials have among the constituent reinforcing materials under an
characteristics of High modulus/weight ratio and applied force.[4]
strength/weight ratio. The samples of Epoxy/glass and
Polyester/glass are tested in Electro mechanical UTM Tue- Composites cannot be made from constituents
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600(c).The mechanical properties of neat matrix, Epoxy/glass; with divergent linear expansion characteristics the interface
Polyester/glass composites are evaluated. The measured is the area of contact between the reinforcement and the
mechanical properties of neat matrix, Epoxy/glass and
matrix materials. When the surface dissimilar constituents
polyester/glass are compared with each other. The
interact with each other, the choice of fabrication method
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understanding of mechanical behavior of composite materials

is very essential in design and applications.
depends on matrix properties and the effect of matrix on
properties of reinforcement. [5]
Keywords – Polyester/glass, Epoxy/glass, neat matrix,
Mechanical properties, resin.

I.INTRODUCTION

Composite materials are class of materials that are

combination of two or more constituents combined at
macroscopic level and not soluble with each other. When
these constituents are combined that offers properties,
which are more desirable than the each individual property
[1].Composite materials are manufactured from two or
more materials to take advantage of desirable
characteristics of the components [2]. In recent year, there
is increasingly growth in use of polymer composites due to
their ability to replace the composite materials on basis of
lower density, low thermal conductivity etc. An individual
glass fibre is both stiff and strong in tension and
compression.

The polymer matrix composites are used in

structural applications is that they offer a certain property,
often stiffness, at a lower weight than alternative materials.
A neat matrix does not exhibit macroscopic flow, as fluids
do. Any degree of departure from its original shape is
called deformation. The proportion of deformation to
original size is called strain. If the applied stress is
sufficiently low. The experimental evaluation of the

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

II.METHODOLOGY

Fig 2: WSM Glass fibre 300*300*4(mm).

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Fig 1: Methodology

III. FABRICATION PROCESS

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The fabrication process involves preparation of

laminates of dimension 3000*300*4(mm).In this work, the Fig 3: Resin is added to prepared mould.
laminates are prepared fabricated by a hand layup
technique with and without fibres. The laminates without
fibres are called pure matrix/neat Matrix. Generally, the
Epoxy and polyester resins are reinforced with 360gsm
glass fibre WSM mat. Small irregularly shaped pieces
made up of organic or inorganic substances used as fillers
for polymers [6]. The 4% casio4 filler materials is added to
both Epoxy/glass and polyester/glass fibre samples to
improve the mechanical properties. The 10% of hardener
HY-951 Triethylene tetramine of density=0.98 kg/mm3 that
cures at room temperature. Good mechanical; strength and
resistant to atmosphere and chemical degradation is added
to epoxy/glass. The catalyst, accelerator is added to the
polyester/glass for the purpose of activation. The 2 layers
of WSM and 3layers of WSM fibre are reinforced with
both epoxy and polyester samples. The laminates are cured
for 12 hrs and post curing by keeping the laminates in oven
for 2-3 hrs at 70deg Celsius.

Fig 4: Load is kept to remove excess of resin.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

1V.EXPERIMENTAL TEST

The prepared test samples are tested in electro

mechanical universal testing machine TUE 600(c).These
UTM are microprocessor based electromechanical devices
with servo drive designed for testing & studying
mechanical behavior of various materials like metals,
polymers, elastomers.

These machines offer good built in features to

offer excellent stand alone performance for standard tests
and great flexibility for complex analysis. These machines
confirm to IS, BS, ASTME standards. The following tests
Fig 5: Prepared laminates of neat matrix, 2L and 3L WSM reinforced are performed in this machine to evaluate the properties.
epoxy/glass sample after post curing.
Case I: Tensile Test
The prepared laminates are cut using a hand
operated wire saw machine as per ASTM standards. The The result sheet will give the values for Extension, I and
thickness of the specimen is 4mm. The dimensions of the the force p in the tensile test. The tensile stress(s) is given
test samples (flat coupons) are listed below. by s = P/bh and strain/elongation is defined by strain =I/I o.

Table 1: Dimensions of ASTM Specimens The young’s modulus in tension (E) is derived
from linear portion of stress v/s strain graph(Experimental).
Sl ASTM Type of Dimensions
no Standard specimen in(mm) Procedure
Lbh
1. Measure the width and thickness of the specimens at
1 D 3039-76 Tensile 228*19*4
several locations along the narrower section in the middle.
2 D 3410 Compression 127*10*4 Record this number on separate sheet of paper. They will
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3 D 790 Bending 80*25*4 be important in analysis of your data.
L = length in (mm)
2. Place the tensile specimen in the lower grip. so, that
B = width of the specimen in (mm)
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wide part of the sample is within the grip.

h =Thickness of specimen in (mm) 3. Tighten the lower jaw grip family so that our specimen
is secure within the grip.
The Prepared epoxy/glass specimens after cutting
operations as follows:- 4. Apply the load gradually in steps, the load and curve
graph is plotted on the display of the computer.

5. The gauge length is 50mm between the grips in a tensile

test.

6. On slowly, applying the load gradually and the specimen

breaks, at one particular point (peak load).

7. Now stop the cross head, return the holding grips to its
initial position.

The data of load v/s displacement, stress v/s %strain is

recorded.

Case II: Compression test

Fig 6: Epoxy/glass samples before test.
The result sheet will give the values of Force p in the
Compression test. The compressive strength (s) is given by
s = P/bh (N/mm2).

Procedure

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

1. Measure the width and thickness of the specimens at 4. Tighten the lower jaw grip family so that our specimen
several locations along the narrower section in the middle. is secure within the grip.
Record this number on separate sheet of paper. They will
be important in analysis of your data. 4. Apply the flexural load gradually in steps, the load and
curve graph is plotted on the display of the computer.
2. Place the compression specimen in the lower grip. So,
that wide part of the sample is within the grip. 5. On slowly, applying the load gradually and the specimen
breaks, at one particular point (peak load).
3. Tighten the lower jaw grip family so that our specimen
is secure within the grip. 6. Now stop the cross head, return the holding grips to its
initial position.
4. Apply the compressive load gradually in steps, the load
and curve graph is plotted on the display of the computer. The data of load v/s displacement, stress v/s %strain is
recorded.
5. On slowly, applying the load gradually and the specimen
breaks, at one particular point (peak load).

6. Now stop the cross head, return the holding grips to its
initial position.

The data of load v/s displacement, stress v/s %strain is

recorded.

Case III: Flexural test theory

The output result file will give you the %strain & the load
.The 1st step in calculating the flexural properties is to
create a load v/s deflection curve. Deflection can be
calculated from strain by multiplying it by span length l(the
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specimen length between the two support points).The
flexural properties can be found by the following
equations. The modulus of elasticity is calculated by
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finding the initial slope of the load v/s deflection curve and
using the following equations;

Eb = mL3/4bh3

Eb= Flexural modulus Fig 7: specimens located in UTM for testing

The maximum fibre stress for any point on the load v/s
deflection curve is given by the following equation:

S= 3PL/2bh2

Where;

S=stress in the outer fibres at the mid span.

P=load at the given point on the curve.

Procedure

1. Measure the width and thickness of the specimens at

several locations along the narrower section in the middle.
Record this number on separate sheet of paper. They will
be important in analysis of your data.

2. Determine the support span; align the sample in midway

between the supports.

3. Place the bending specimen in the lower grip. So, that

wide part of the sample is within the grip.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

Fig 11: Bending test graph for 2LC of polyester/glass

Fig 8: UTM Testing Machine

Fig 12: Compression test graph for 2 layer polyester/glass

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V.TEST RESULTS
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Fig 13: Epoxy /glass neat tensile test graph

Fig 9: Polyester /glass neat matrix compression test graph

Fig 10: Polyester /glass neat matrix 3point bending test graph Fig 14: Epoxy /glass 2LWSM tensile test graph

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

Glass Mechanical Neat 2 Layer 3 layer

fibre properties Matrix
WSM Ultimate load 111 129 168
(N)
Flexural 22.2 40.39 53.11
Strength(N/mm2)

Table 7: Tensile properties of epoxy/glass sample

Fig 15: Epoxy /glass 3LWSM bending test graph Glass Mechanical Neat 2 Layer 3 layer
fibre properties Matrix
V1.MECHANICAL PROPERTIES WSM Ultimate load 1320 4860 5820
(N)
Table 2: Loading values on adding filler in %( percentage)
Tensile 16.55 63.13 79
of polyester/glass sample
Strength(N/mm2)
Casio4 in Tensile test Bending Compression
matrix (N) test test (N)
(N) Table 8: Compression properties of epoxy /glass sample
0% 600 142 2074 Glass Mechanical Neat 2 3
2% 725 187 2078 fibre properties Matrix Layer layer
4% 890 111 2547 WSM Ultimate load 360 180 480
6% 1240 202 2970 (N)
Compressive 8.6 4 10.5
Strength(N/mm2)
Table 3: Strength values of neat matrix under mechanical
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tests of polyester/glass sample Table 9: Flexural properties of epoxy /glass sample
% of filler Tensile Compressive Flexural Glass Mechanical Neat 2 3
material strength strength strength
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fibre properties Matrix Layer layer

added (N/mm2) (N/mm2) (N/mm2) WSM Ultimate load 300 240 600
0% 7.89 51.85 28.4 (N)
2% 9.539 51.95 37.4 Flexural 90 72 180
4% 11.710 63.675 22.2 Strength(N/mm2)
6% 16.315 74.25 40.4

Table 4: Tensile properties of Polyester/glass sample

Glass Mechanical Neat 2 Layer 3 layer

fibre properties Matrix
WSM Ultimate load 890 2912 3512
(N)
Tensile 11.710 28.315 46.21
Strength(N/mm2)

Table 5: Compression properties of polyester/glass sample

Glass Mechanical Neat 2 Layer 3 layer

fibre properties Matrix
WSM Ultimate load 2547 1394 859
(N)
Compressive 63.675 42.08 26.08
Strength(N/mm2)

Table 6: Flexural properties of Polyester/glass sample

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

VII. RESULTS The overall tensile strength in Epoxy/glass is higher than

the polyester/glass.
Mechanical properties
C) Compressive strength
a )Young’s modulus

Fig 18: Comaprison of compressive strength b/w Epoxy/glass &

polyester/glass
Fig 16 comparison of Young’s modulus value b/w Epoxy/glass and
polyester/glass From the below fig, on adding filler material to neat
matrix, compressive strength is higher .The compressive
The young’s modulus value of a neat matrix is always less strength of the material decreases with 2L and 3L WSM
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than resin reinforced with 2L WSM and 3L WSM fibre. mat reinforcement with polyester. The compressive
The ‘E’ of Epoxy/glass is more than the Polyester/glass strength of 3layer reinforced Epoxy/glass is more than the
samples. 2 layer.From this graph, we can conclude that compressive
strength of polyster/glass fibre is much higher than
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B) Tensile Strength Epoxy/glass fibre.

d) Flexural strength

Fig 19: Comaprison of flexure strength b/w Epoxy/glass &

polyester/glass

From the above graph, on comparison between

Fig 17: Comparison of tensile strength b/w Epoxy/glass and
polyester/glass
Epoxy/glass and polyester glass fibre we can conclude that
the flexural strength is higher in 3 layer reinforced epoxy
From the overall comparison of tensile strength, we can /glass fibre than the neat matrix and 2 layer reinforced
conclude that tensile strength of neat matrix is always less WSM fibre. On addition of fibre mat to the Epoxy/glass
than the 2L & 3L WSM fibre mat. Also, strength of the sample, the flexibility of the material increases than the
material increases as the no of fibres reinforced increases. polyester/glass.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 6, June - 2014

d) Stiffness

By comparing the overall comparison of stiffness b/w

epoxy/glass and polyester/glass we can say that
Epoxy/glass samples is more stiffer than the
polyester/glass. On considering an overall comparison
between Epoxy/glass and polyester glass fibre, the stiffness
in two layer reinforced glass epoxy is more than the neat
matrix and 3 layered one.

Fig 23 : Epoxy/glass samples of neat matrix(NM) after all mechanical

tests.

IX.CONCLUSIONS

The pure/neat matrix laminates showed an inelastic

behaviour under the stress strain behaviour.on adding the
fillers to the neat matrix can improve the surface conditions
to improve high often brittleness and stiffness.The tensile
Fig 20: Comaprison of stiffness b/w Epoxy/glass & polyester/glass forces stretches the neat matrix well results in failure of
structures easily.The tensile strength of the epoxy/glass is
VIII.SAMPLES AFTER TESTING
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much higher than the polyester /glass sample.The strength
of the composite material increases as the no of layers of
fibre reinforced increases.The compressive strength of
polyester/glass is higher than the epoxy/glass fibre.The
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epoxy/glass is more stiffer than the polyester/glass sample

therefore, epoxy/glass fibres are widely used in automobile
and aerospace applications.The tensiel strength of the
material increases as the no of layers of fibre reinforced
increases.

REFERNCES
[1] Keshavamurthy..et.al, Investigation of tensile properties of fiber
reinforced angled ply laminated composites, International journal of
emerging technology and advanced engineering.
[2 [Wang.Y..et.al, properties of composites laminates reinforced with
glass multi axial non crimp fabrics j comp.
[3] Kullor and Springer G.S.et.al, Mechanics of composite structures,
Cambridge university press-stand ford, 2003.
[4], P.C Pandey..et.al Basics of composite materials,, Indian institute of
Fig 21 : Epoxy/glass samples of 2L WSM mat after all mechanical tests. science,Nptel.

Fig 22 : Epoxy/glass samples of 3L WSM mat after all mechanical tests.

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