Effect of fiberglass form on the tensile and bending characteristic of epoxy composite material

Abstract

This search focuses on the tensile and bending characteristics of a composite material that reinforced by various forms of fiberglass. Two fiber forms are considered; the first is bi-directional of (0o-90o) fiber direction, the second is random. The fiber thickness of bi-directional form has been investigated by considering thick and thin mats. The composite has been developed by hand lay-up process with a fiber weight ratio of 10%. Three samples of the developed composited have been compared with a base case sample (pure matrix of epoxy resin). Also, a microscopic vision has been captured on the fracture zone of tensile specimens. The results reveal that the random-form composite had maximum tensile strength and transverse stiffness, also, the thin-fiber composite showed maximum ductility.