The Inspection of Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract

The nature of composite materials technology is the ability to effectively place stiff fibers, in the right position, with the right orientation and volume fraction, in a compatible matrix system. There must be close collaboration between those who design composite materials at the micro scale and those who have to design and manufacture the final engineering component.

Resin impregnated glass fibers — the best known is glass reinforced polymers, where glass fibers provide strength while the polymer reduces brittleness. The fibers may be woven together, pressed into a mat or used as a random “wool”.

In this study, mechanical and microstructural properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are examined. Glass fiber volume fraction is altered from 9% up to 33% in the composite, and also the other materials (polystrene, zinc stereat, alcalic peroxyde, magnesium oxyde, pigment paste, calcide, etc.) are comprised into the remaining percentages comprising the polymer matrix. To study the mechanical properties, tests are utilized, and, on the other hand, the light and scanning electron microscope techniques are used for microstructural study. The obtained results are correlated at graphs and also tabulated depending upon the glass fiber volume fractions involved.