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ABSTRACT
The effect of moisture on mechanical properties of glass fiber-epoxy composites
was investigated. Composite specimens of woven glass fiber and epoxy resin with
different wt.% of glass fiber (40 & 60) were prepared. The specimens were subjected
to different hygrothermal conditions viz., cold soaking and boiling soaking, to study
the effect moisture on tensile and flexural strength of these composites. The weights of
the specimens were recurrently checked before and after the soaking, to calculate the
amount of moisture absorption. Mechanical tests viz., tensile and flexural tests were
carried out according to ASTM D3039 and D7264 standard, respectively. The results
reveled that, increase in glass fiber weight percentage increased the tensile strength,
but decreased the flexural strength. Tensile and flexural strength for soaked samples
had decreased vividly as compared to the dry samples.
Keywords: Glass fiber-epoxy composites, Cold soaking, Boiling soaking, Interfacial
Bonding, Delamination
Cite this Article: U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar, Sathyashankara Sharma and
Pavan Hiremath, Behavioral Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy
Composites under Moisture Absorption, International Journal of Mechanical
Engineering and Technology, 9(7), 2018, pp. 1–5
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=7
1. INTRODUCTION
In general, “composite” means “a material prepared by two or more different constituents” or
“a combination of two or more different constituents, which are mixed at macroscopic level to
get the best of their properties” [1]. There are several applications, in which Glass Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) are exposed to wet service conditions and elevated temperatures
[2]. The properties of GFRP composites are affected by moisture and elevated temperatures in
their service life [3].
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 1 editor@iaeme.com
U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar, Sathyashankara Sharma and Pavan Hiremath
Many researchers [4-10] studied on the moisture effect on glass fiber-epoxy composites.
The moisture uptake depends on glass fiber weight percentage, duration of soaking and
temperature. Moisture uptake into the matrix, affects properties through various mechanisms
like swelling, plasticization, hydrolysis and crazing. Wet service conditions and elevated
temperatures have vigorous effects on the properties of polymer matrix. Normally matrixes
absorb more moisture and get degraded. Degradation of polymer matrix affects the interface
of fiber and matrix, which leads to delamination or de-bonding of glass fiber with polymer
matrix.
The aim of this study is to investigate the moisture uptake effect on the mechanical
properties of glass fiber-epoxy composites with different weight percentage (40 & 60) of glass
fiber, under cold soaking and boiling soaking conditions.
2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1. Preparation of Specimens
Epoxy Resin L-12 with hardener K-6 (Mixing ratio 10:1, supplied by Atul Polymers, Gujurat,
India) and E-glass fiber (Plain Woven, Bilateral, 360 GSM, supplied by Yuje Enterprises
Bengaluru, India) were used as raw materials for preparation of composites at 40 and 60 wt%
of glass fiber. Hand lay-up technique was used (figure 1), for the preparation of composites
[11].
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Behavioral Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites under Moisture
Absorption
2.5. Testing
The tensile and flexural tests of all the specimens were carried out using a computerized
“Universal Testing Machine” (UTM) (FIE Make, UNITEK – 9450) according to the ASTM
D3039 and ASTM D7264 respectively. To minimize error minimum three specimens for each
condition were tested.
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U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar, Sathyashankara Sharma and Pavan Hiremath
compared to dry specimens. Reduction in tensile strength, due to water absorption, effect of
swelling and thermal stress, which increases swiftly at elevated temperature [8].
(a) (b)
(c)
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Behavioral Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites under Moisture
Absorption
epoxy resin. Figure 5 (c) shows the interface region of fiber and matrix. Here degradation of
matrix due to moisture uptake, which might have led to delamination of fiber and matrix is
also observed.
4. CONCLUSION
The effect of moisture on the tensile and flexural strength of glass fiber-epoxy composites
with different weight percent (40 & 60 wt%) is investigated. The moisture absorption reduced
with increase in glass fiber weight percentage in the composites. There is a higher escalation
in weight of the specimens in boiling water soaking compared to cold soaking specimens.
Moisture uptake increases swiftly at elevated temperatures. Increase in the glass fiber weight
percentage in the composite increased the tensile strength, but decreased flexural strength.
Dry specimens have higher tensile and flexural strengths unlike the immersed specimens,
where both tensile and flexural strength have decreased.
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