Mechanical Properties of Vinyl Ester Composites Cured by Microwave Irradiation: Pilot Study |
| Journal |
Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 334 - 335) |
| Volume |
Advances in Composite Materials and Structures |
| Edited by |
J.K. Kim, D.Z. Wo, L.M. Zhou, H.T. Huang, K.T. Lau and M. Wang |
| Pages |
537-540 |
| DOI |
10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.334-335.537 |
| Online since |
March, 2007 |
| Authors |
H. Ku, Mohan Trada, V.C. Puttgunta |
| Keywords |
Drop Weight Impact Strength, Microwave Irradiation, Tensile Strength, Vinyl Ester Composite, Young's Modulus |
| Abstract |
Composite components made from vinyl ester resins by Centre of Excellence in
Engineered Fiber Composites (CEEFC), University of Southern Queensland (USQ) suffer
considerable shrinkage during hardening. Currently, CEEFC solves the shrinkage problem by
breaking a large composite component into smaller composite parts because smaller parts tend to
have less shrinkage. These smaller parts are then joined together to form the overall structure. The
shrinkage of vinyl ester particulate composites has been reduced by curing the resins under
microwave conditions. The reduction in the shrinkage of the resins by microwaves will enable the
manufacture of large vinyl ester composite items possible. This project investigates the difference
in impact strength, tensile strength and Young’s modulus of 33 percent by weight of fly-ash
particulate reinforced vinyl ester composite, VE/FLY-ASH (33%) cured under microwave and
ambient conditions. Drop weight impact tests were used to find out the impact strength of the
composite, while tensile tests were used to find out the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of
the composite. The power levels of microwaves used were 180 and 360 W; the duration of
exposure of the composite samples to microwave irradiation varied from 20 to 50 seconds. The
difference in impact strength and Young’s modulus between microwave cured vinyl ester
particulate composites and those cured under ambient conditions had been found to be minimal.
However, the tensile strength of the composite samples cured under microwave conditions can be
higher than those cured under ambient conditions. |
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