An Investigation on Plastic Matrix Composite Materials

Abstract:

Composite materials with plastic matrix consist of a fiber material, which is used as the core and a matrix material, which forms the volumetric majority around that fiber material. Glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) are polymer-based plastic matrix composites that are used in a wide range of applications. In this work, a plastic-based composite material, which is used in tractor bonnets, was produced and thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of fracture surfaces for this material were performed. The SEM images of the fractured surfaces of the composites showed varied extents of fiber pull-outs under tensile failure modes. The nature of interfacial adhesion was discussed on the basis of the SEM study. A good correlation was established between the SEM study and the mechanical strength properties of the composites. However, it was observed that vinyl ester resin is a more suitable matrix for tractor bonnet parts due to its higher thermal resistance compared with orthophthalic resin. Keywords: composites, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 555)
• Pages: 406-412
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.555.406
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Cenk Misirli*, Nilgün Becenen, Mümin Şahin
• Keywords: Composite, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermal Analysis

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