To Measure the Tensile Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy

Matrix with Hardener

Abstract
This experiment is done in order to study the effect of glass fiber sheets on the mechanical
properties of epoxy matrix with 50% hardener. Composite with different number of glass fiber
layers was prepared by using epoxy resin and hardener as a matrix. Maximum ultimate tensile
strength achieved is 60.9 MPa.
Introduction
Composite materials have been used in wide range of applications starting from household
applications to advanced applications such as in aircraft and spacecraft. Among the composite
materials fiber-reinforced polymer composites are the most widely used one. The addition of
fibers to the polymer matrix increases the mechanical strength of the composite material as
compared to the polymer only [1].
Epoxy resin
Epoxy is one of the thermosetting polymer resins with excellent properties. Epoxy
processes outstanding cost to performance ratio. Some of the properties possesses by epoxy are
good adhesion to substrate materials, low viscosity, high strength low creep and low shrinkage
during curing. Due to these excellent properties epoxy resin widely used for many applications
such as in ship building, aerospace, automobile and structural applications.
Glass fibers
 Glass fibers also called fiberglass. It is material made from extremely fine fibers of glass
Fiberglass is a lightweight, extremely strong, and robust material. Although strength
properties are somewhat lower than carbon fiber and it is less stiff, the material is typically
far less brittle, and the raw materials are much less expensive.
 Glass fibers are useful because of their high ratio of surface area to weight. However, the
increased surface area makes them much more susceptible to chemical attack.
 Humidity is an important factor in the tensile strength. Moisture is easily adsorbed, and can
worsen microscopic cracks and surface defects, and lessen tenacity.

Figure 1: Glass Fibers

Tensile Test
 In order to check mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite, tensile
testing done on these samples. Universal testing machine is used to find out tensile strength
of the sample. ASTM D3039 standard used.
 Test process involves placing test specimen in the universal testing machine (UTM) and
applying tensile force on specimen unless it breaks. During the application of the tensile
load elongation of the gauge section is recorded against the applied load.
Experimental work
Apparatus
Following materials and equipment was used in preparation of glass fiber reinforced epoxy
matrix composite:
 Plastic sheet
 Glass fiber
 Epoxy resin
 Hardener
 Brush
 Roller
 Beaker scissor
 Plastic mold
 Acetone
Procedure
The steps are as follows:
 Clean plastic mold surface with acetone and place plastic sheet on the plastic mold.
 Cut glass fiber sheet according to mold dimensions.
 Weigh 100ml of epoxy resin and 100ml of hardener and mixed it very well.

Figure 2: Mixing of resin and hardener

 Apply first layer of mixture on plastic sheet with the help of brush.
 Place glass fiber sheet on mixture and level it with the help of roller. Further layers applied
with same procedure.

Figure 3: Levelling of fiber sheet by roller

 Place the prepared sample as it is and let it dry at room temperature. It will get dry in 1-2
days.

Figure 4: Final composite

 Cut the samples from this prepared sheet of composite according to ASTM D 3039 for
tensile testing. Large rectangular sample was tested on UTM while dumbbell shape samples
were tested on Utensometer.

Figure 5: Composite samples for tensile testing

Precautions
Following precautions should be kept in mind while performing experiment:
 Wear gloves and lab coat.
 Epoxy resin and should be properly mixed.
 Measuring should be done with great accuracy.
 Layers should be applied carefully and pressing should be done equally on all areas.
Observation & Calculations
After performing the tensile test on the samples, the fracture pattern of the specimens is as
follows:

Figure 6: Broken composite samples after tensile testing

Rectangular shape sample

Length = 170 mm
Width = 38.3 mm
Thickness = 2.31 mm
Area of cross section = 38.3*2.31 = 88.473*10-6 m2
Load = 550 Kg = 5395.5 N
Strength = (load) / (Area)
Strength = 5395.5 / 88.473*10-6
Strength = 60.9 MPa
Dumbbell shape sample
Length = 135 mm
Width = 8.73 mm
Thickness = 2.31 mm
Area of cross section = 8.73*2.31 = 20.1663*10-6m2
Load = 2.6 Kg = 25.506N
Strength = (load) / (Area)
Strength = 25.506/ 20.1663*10-6
Strength = 1.26MPa
Result and Discussion
The stronger surface interaction between the fiber and matrix contributed to less fiber
agglomeration when observed at that fiber content and leads to increase in hardness as well as
tensile strength of composite. Due to increase in surface interaction between fiber and matrix,
greater amount of energy is absorbed by composite before undergoing fracture.
Conclusion
It is concluded that the tensile properties have been remarkably increased with the
incorporation of glass fiber sheets.
References
[1] S. Mutalikdesai, A. Hadapad, S. Patole, G. Hatti, Fabrication and Mechanical
Characterization of Glass fibre reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites using Fly ash/Nano
clay/Zinc oxide as filler, in: IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng.,
2018. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/376/1/012061.