Advanced Materials Research Submitted: 2014-12-15

ISSN: 1662-8985, Vol. 1125, pp 79-83 Revised: 2015-04-29

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1125.79 Accepted: 2015-05-25
© 2015 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland Online: 2015-10-02

Effect of The Gel Coat Composition on TheTensile Strength for Glass

Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites
Ahmad1, a *, Mohamed Ruslan Abdullah2,b and Ab Saman Abd Kader3,c
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
2
Department of Applied Mechanics and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
3
Marine Technology Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
a
charmyahmad@yahoo.com, bruslan@fkm.utm.my, cabdsaman@utm.my
*charmyahmad@yahoo.com

Keywords: Gel coat; Immersion; Tensile strength; Glass fiber

Abstract. In this study, the effect of the gel coat composition on tensile strength of glass fibre
reinforced polyester (GFRP) composites was evaluated. The experiments were conducted on various
gel coat composition and time. Samples were immersed in sea and river water for 6 months to
investigate the differences in tensile strength. Optical observation using SEM on the composites
surface and comparative analysis in terms of tensile strength were used before and after immersing.
As results, the most excellent tensile strength was the gel coat composition consisting of 0.3 kg of
reolosil QS-102 with 10 kg of resin SHCP 268BQTN with a value of 51.9 MPa. Tensile strength
reduced about 33.4 % compared to other sample where reduced to 46.3401 %. The difference in the
composite surface as a result of immersion process on each sample was also discussed in this paper.

Introduction
The most widely used fiber for composite commodity, and having the longest period for
development, which has been marketed in the United States at various levels for more than 40 years
is glass fibre [1]. GFRP composites has been widely used for structural applications in the marine
environment, such as yachts, small boats, speed boats and others. Various methods are employed to
maintain the strength of the hull that is made of composite GFRP in order to avoid the influence of
the external environment, such as the deterioration that leads to cracking, swelling and blisters [2].
One method that could be used is to provide a gel coat on the surface of the boat.
Gel coat is the outer layer of pigment on polyester resin, which protects GFRP from abrasion and
wear. Gel coat thickness is 0.5 to 0.8 mm. Unlike paint, gel coat is chemically attached to GFRP
were followed into the mold. Many studies on the gel coat development are to increase unsaturated
polyester gel coat with nano clay in order to increase and improve the mechanical properties of gel
coat such as tensile strength, thermal and stress [3]. Development of gel coat for durability is also
enhanced with blistering properties of the barrier layer of vinyl ester that has characteristics of lower
water absorption [4]. It is obtained that the hardness of nano-composite coatings increased with the
content of nano-clay can improve the quality of the gel coat. Reviews of gel coat is also designed to
improve the anti-fouling paint stains, including dirt forming organisms [5]. A new class of nano gel
coat that could slow down the diffusion process of water refers to the law Fick's presented is [6].
In contrast to the above studies, in this study will be evaluated and characterized the effect of the
ratio of the gel coat of liquid mixture content between gel coat powder with resin Reolosil QS 102
SHCP268 BQTN, will be evaluated and characterized. In this study, it is obtained a layer of gel coat
that is put on GFRP, has the power of the greatest maximum stress after infusion of 1 month, 3
months and 6 months.

All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of Trans
Tech Publications, www.ttp.net. (ID: 132.239.1.230, University of California, San Diego UCSD, La Jolla, USA-04/03/16,16:27:25)
80 Materials, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering Research Advances 2

Research Methodology
Materials and specimens preparation. All GFRP composite specimens coated with a gel coat
were used as a material for boat hulls. Gel coat is coated on a composite GFRP which is a mixture
of QS Reolosil -102 and Resin SHCP 268BQTN (Highpolymer Chemical Products Singapore Pte
Ltd) with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm, as can be seen in Table 1.

Table 1. Mixed content gel coat and resin SHCP 268BQTN 10 kg

No code Reolosil QS-102
1 K1 0.35
2 K2 0.3
3 K3 0.25
4 K4 0.2
5 K5 0.175

Composite is made by means of the mold press and the first to give a layer of gel coat on the
surface of the composite. Composite thickness used is of 3.2 mm with three layers of CSM 450
g/m2, WR 600 g/m2 and CSM 300 g/m2.
Tensile test. Tensile test is important to determine the mechanical behavior of GFRP composite
materials. Tensile tests on fiber composites were conducted with ASTM standard D638. Stress tests
were performed using tensile machine Instron brand 4486 model with a maximum load of 100 KN.
Specimens were tested at a speed of 2 mm/min.
Absorption tests. Absorption test aims to determine the percentage of moisture absorption when
immersed in sea water and river. Immersion specimens will be gradual ie 1, 3 and 6 months.
Absorption tests were performed using fiber composite standard. ASTM D570 with a length of 76.2
mm, a width of 25.4 mm and a thickness of 3.2 mm (Fig. 1). After immersed in sea water and river
then the test continued in a drying oven to keep the temperature constant at 30°C. To determine the
percentage weight of water absorption of the specimen, the specimen weight was also measured
before being immersed.

Fig. 1. The shape of the absorption of the test specimen

Morphological tests. Morphological tests of the specimens were performed using Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM, JEOL JSM 6390LV type) to view the microstructure of the specimens
before immersion and after immersion. The Specimen to be investigated are the properties of micro-
structure of a given layer of titanium which then inserted into the machine outo fine coater JFC
1600 for 1 hour until the correct coating level of all surfaces has been investigated. After all
surfaces are coated with titanum and then the specimen is ready to be investigated on the testing
machine of SEM. After all surfaces are coated with titanum then the specimen is ready to be
investigated using SEM.
 Advanced Materials Research Vol. 1125 81

Results and Discussion

Decreasing the mechanical properties of composite materials coated gel coat after immersion in
water for two different media (sea water and river water) is characterized by a decrease in the
strength of the stress that is gradually starting in 1,3 and 6 months. Decrease in mechanical
properties is seen directly proportional to the increase in the percentage of water absorption of
GFRP composite materials. This is because the failure is dominated by delamination (separation of
local surface) of glass fibre and the release of the bond between the fibers with polyester or known
as the pull out. Pull-out occurs because water diffuses into the fiber so that between fiber-holding
capacity of the resin matrix, the lower [7].
Effect of water immersion stress on the force. The immersion with normal temperatures are laid
between 27oC and 30oC for all specimens. By using the percentage of body weight according to
ASTM standard D570. Tensile test is important to determine the mechanical behavior of GFRP
composite materials. Tensile tests on fiber composites was conducted with ASTM standard D638.
Stress tests were performed using tensile machine Instron brand 4486 model with a maximum load
of 100 KN. Specimens were tested at a speed of 2 mm/min.The speciment weight could be
calculated using equation below :
 Mi − Mo 
M%=   x 100 (1)
 Mo 
where M is percentage increase in weight of the specimen (%), Mi is wet condition weight (g), and
Mo is weight of initial conditions.

The results are shown in Table 2. After immersion process is then performed tests of strength
stress. The calculation results of maximum stress strength as in Table 3.

Table 2. Calculation of the percentage of the weight before and after being immersed up to 6
months
Month (%)
Code
1 3 6
K1 0.0053 0.0177 0.0299
K2 0.0037 0.0122 0.0155
K3 0.0043 0.0146 0.0236
K4 0.0050 0.0136 0.0245
K5 0.0046 0.0155 0.0233

Table 3. Testing results of the tensile stress after immersion to 6 months

Immersion duration in the sea
Code Before Immersion 1 month 3 months 6 months
σ(Mpa) ε σ(Mpa) ε σ(Mpa) ε σ(Mpa) ε
K1 66.5 0.0130 58.8 0.0087 47.4 0.0082 38.8 0.0051
K2 78.0 0.0118 67.7 0.0099 54.0 0.0084 51.9 0.0079
K3 75.0 0.0115 56.4 0.0083 45.7 0.0075 40.2 0.0053
K4 73.8 0.0112 67.5 0.0116 53.7 0.0077 40.5 0.0061
K5 71.7 0.0134 64.6 0.0098 47.1 0.0083 41.0 0.0068

From Table 3, it can be obtained a graph shown in figure 2. Figure 2 shows the general of all
concentrations of gel coat on the specimen composite GFRP. The percentage increase in weight
before and after immersion being immersed 6 months. While Table 3 and Figure 2 shows that the
percentage of gain K2 is smaller than the overall increase in the concentration of weight of gel coat.
Starting from before immersing up to after immersing for 6 months. After immersed 1 percent
82 Materials, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering Research Advances 2

increase in the weight of immersion K2 is 0.0037% while being immersed up to 6 months after the
weight percentage of immersion K2 be 0.0155%. Lack of water absorption occurs in the gel coat K2
content when compared to the gel coat content K1, K3, K4 and K5 for the current batch of K2
content better so delamination of glass fibers and the release of the bond between the polyester
dammar cause diffusion into the fibers so that the power of connective between fiber and the matrix
is lower deductible. Unlike other coat of gel content, delamination occurs until the water absorption
is greater.
While referring to Table 3 above, Fig. 2a shows graph decrease of maximum stress for up to 6
months of immersion, it can be seen that in general, all the gel coat concentration decreased strength
the maximum stress before being immersed up after soaking for 6 months. While the maximum
tensile stress occurs at concentrations of gel coat. From Fig. 2b we can see that the tensile strength
of K2 is greater than the overall strength of the stress concentration of the gel coat on. The
processing immersion was begun from before immersing until after immersing for 6 months. K2 is a
mixture coats the best concentration of the entire gel mixture cot as K2 had the smallest stress
strength of up to 6 months immersion that only on amount of 33.4%, while K1, K3, K4 and K5,
respectively decreasing at 41.6%, 46.3% , 45.0%, 42.7%. This is also related to the local surface
separation of glass fibers and the release of the bond between the fiber and polyester so the water
diffuses into the fibers which in turn the bond between the fiber and the matrix, become strong
because of the lower composite.

a b
Fig 2. Graphs before and after being immersed for up to 6 months (a) the percentage increase in
heavy glass fibre polyester (b) the tensile Strength glass fibre/polyester

a b
Fig 3. Specimen for (a) before immersion, (b) after immersion
The immersion medium was done either in sea water or river water, the immersion seems that the
longer the degradation of the more increase of strength. This grade continues with heavy
percentages which look good on immersion in the sea and in the longer river water immersion also
increase the applicable percentage of water absorption. This phenomenon is caused due to
immersion of composites in particular will cause the fibers to swell up to fill the gaps that occur
 Advanced Materials Research Vol. 1125 83

among matrix, the fiber and water chemical bonds in molecules attached to the cellulose fibers to
the saturation point. Water molecules are absorbed through the glass fiber saturation point causing
damage to the surface of the fibers with polyester fibers and delamination which resulted in
mechanical damage or deterioration of the mechanical strength of the composite [8]. The details can
be seen in Fig. 3a and b below. In fig. 3a, the graph shows that before immersion no swelling
accures so the tensile strength is become high. It was compared with images 4b it can be seen that
after immersion up the specimen swelling and become lower.

Conclusions and Discussion

Effect of the concentration of the gel coat on the surface of the composite after immersion
ranging from 1 month to 6 months will affect the mechanical properties such as strength stresses. It
can be seen that the longer immersion, the lower strength stress of GFRP composite material. The
best stress intensities obtained on the composition of the gel coat with code 2 (K2 by comparison
Reolosil QS 102: Resin SHCP 268BQTN is 0.3 kg: 10 kg). However, the effect of the gel coat is not
too significant for the difference in the strength and the stress whether before immersion or after
immersion this is evident from the results of tests in which the values of the percentage decrease of
the stress is not too much difference between the composition of K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5.
The decrease of stress is directly proportional to the high absorption of the composite during the
immersion, the longer the absorption of the lower strength values stresses of GFRP composite
materials. this is influenced by the swelling of the surface through saturation, resulting in damage on
the surface and causing water logging in the composite structure.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Laboratory of Material Engineering Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering University of Technology Malaysia who has helped on direct tensile strength test. The
authors also would like to thank the Ibnu Sina Institute Faculty of Mathematics and Natural
Sciences Department of Chemistry in the SEM testing.

References
[1] H. Charles, Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, 2002.
[2] S.C. See,, Y.Z. Zang, M.O.W. Richardson. A study of Water Absorbtion Characteristics of a
novel nano-kot gel for marine application. Progress In Organic Coating. 65 (2009) 169 - 174.
[3] W. Jiang, and S. J. Tjong. Thermal stability of polycarbonate composites reinforced with
potassium titanate whiskers, Polymer Degradation and Stability. 66 (1999) 241-246.
[4] P Ranjit, R Brian, P. Len C. Richard. Valspar Composites, Development of Blush Resistant
Gelcoat. Convention and Trade Show American Composites Manufacturers Association, 2006.
[5] D. M. Yebra, S. Kiil, E. Weinell. Effects of marine microbial biofilms on the biocide release
rate from antifouling paints—A model-based analysis. Progress in Organic Coatings. 57 (2006)
56 - 66.
[6] F Ashby Michael, R H Jones, Engineering Materials 1, An introduction to properties, Aplication
and design, 2005
[7] P. Mastariyanto. Effect Poisture contend an thermal shock terhadap sifat mekanik dan fisik
komposit hibrid berbasis serat gelas dan coir. Journal Teknik Mesin Institut Teknologi Padang.
3 (2013) 1-7
[8] S. Siriwardana , I Ismail. Comparison of the mechanical properties and water absorption
behavior of white rice husk ash and silica filled polypropylene composites, Journal of
reinforced plastics and composites. 22 (2003) 17-18
Materials, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering Research Advances 2
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1125

Effect of the Gel Coat Composition on the Tensile Strength for Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester
Composites
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1125.79

DOI References
[3] W. Jiang, and S. J. Tjong. Thermal stability of polycarbonate composites reinforced with potassium
titanate whiskers, Polymer Degradation and Stability. 66 (1999) 241-246.
10.1016/s0141-3910(99)00072-5
[5] D. M. Yebra, S. Kiil, E. Weinell. Effects of marine microbial biofilms on the biocide release rate from
antifouling paints-A model-based analysis. Progress in Organic Coatings. 57 (2006) 56 - 66.
10.1016/j.porgcoat.2006.06.003
[8] S. Siriwardana , I Ismail. Comparison of the mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of white
rice husk ash and silica filled polypropylene composites, Journal of reinforced plastics and composites. 22
(2003) 17-18.
10.1177/073168403027619