Mechanical Characterization of Thermoplastic ABS /Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract

Glass fibres (GF) are the reinforcement agent used in most of the thermoset and thermoplastic based composites, as they create a good balance between properties and cost. However the final properties of the composites are mainly determined by the strength and the stability of the polymer fibre interphase. The mechanical properties of the thermoplastic polymer changes gradually and drastically by addition of layers of glass fibre. This work provides an evidence for such variation in the mechanical characteristics, such as tensile, compression and bending for polymer matrix composites. Thermoplastic ABS material (Acrylonitrile Butadine Styrene) used as an matrix and glass fibre as an reinforcement agent. The laminates are prepared according to the ASTM standard, without glass fibre, ABS with single layer of glass fibre and ABS with double layer of glass fibre using injection moulding process. These laminates are tested for tensile, compression and bending according to the standard procedures, the obtained results are tabulated and compared.