Tensile Properties of PET FRP with Bio-Resin Polymer

Abstract

This study analyses the mechanical behaviour of polyethylene terephthalate fiber-reinforced polymer (PET FRP) made with a bio-resin polymer matrix. The utilized bio-resin is furfuryl alcohol mixed with phthaloyl dichloride catalyst; this selection of resin type, catalyst type, catalyst dose, and curing time was made based on previous investigations. A sheet of PET FRP composite was fabricated following the wet lay-up method. The composite sheet was cut into six coupons (three in the longitudinal direction and three in the transverse direction). The coupons were then tested in uniaxial tension, and the stress–strain relationship was extracted. The stress–strain relationship of the bio-resin PET FRP was found to be nonlinear and consisted of three main stages of linear curves. The elastic modulus at each stage was derived along with the coupon's average yielding stress and ultimate strength. By deriving and presenting the mechanical performance of this newly developed FRP, this study aims to determine whether the composite could be a potentially sustainable alternative to conventionally used FRPs. The two sets of tested coupons had equal strain capacity–which is four times the strain capacity of glass fiber-reinforced (GFRP) composite. Conversely, longitudinally cut coupons had double the strength capacity of transversely cut coupons.