Flexure Behaviour and Failure Mechanism of Bidirectional Glass- Polyester Composites Formed by Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)

Flexure behaviour of polyester-bidirectional glass composites formed by resin transfer moulding (RTM) has been studied to determine the effects of glass content, laminate thickness and reinforcement geometry on damage developed during flexure tests. Mean flexural parameters derived from the force-deflection data of composites showed that the bidirectional composites had mean values of flexural strength and modulus of 230 MPa and 11 GPa and 303 MPa and 14 GPa for the bidirectional Bx20 and Bx30 series, respectively. Strain values both at maximum-load and failure were also determined. The failure strains of the composites were relatively constant at » 0.045 and appeared to fail at a critical strain (eC) value. The damage developed during the test was monitored on the side of each polished beam using an optical microscope. The damage generated in the bidirectional composites exhibited matrix cracking on the lower face followed by delamination.

Keywords:

Bidirectional Composites , Flexural Test , Resin Transfer Moulding , Onset of Damage , Damage Resistance