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Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research and Developments
ISSN: 1024-1752
CODEN: JERDFO
Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 247-256
Published Year 2020
247
Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced
Epoxy Resin
Ethar Mohamed Mahdi Mubarak†, Rawaa Hamid Mohammed Al-Kalali†, Emad Ali
Husein‡ & Bahaa Sami Mahdi‡
†Middle Technical University –Institute of Technology –Baghdad
‡Technology University/Baghdad
E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT: One of the aims for the utilizing of random composite materials is to improve the product design.
In this time with fast technological progress, it is often necessary to manufacture machine components and
engineering structure, using fiberglass (E-glass) particles (from chopped E-glass fibers). The exceptional
properties needed for most applications like large strength and low weight. Five different types of composites
are fabricated using fiber reinforced by chopped E-glass with epoxy resin within ratios 10% wt/wt, 20% 40%,
60%, and 80%. Tensile test, Hardness test and SEM investigation are done to these specimens for observing the
influence of contain ratios on the properties of mechanical fiber reinforced by chopped E-glass in the matrix if
epoxy and to analyze the fracture surface respectively. From this study, many observations were concluded that
the best manufacturing of a fiber reinforcement by chopped glass with various epoxy ratios are done by simple
hand lay-up technique and it concluded that the maximum elongation occurs at 10wt% and the minimum
elongation at 20wt%, the hardness for 10wt% composite is higher compared to other ratios. SEM examinations
of fracture region were made to investigate the incorporation of chopped E-glass with epoxy at different ratio.
Also its observed voids and dislocation due to the manufacturing process. The results shown that the
incorporation of chopped E-glass with epoxy at different ratio has an important influence onto composites’
mechanical properties.
KEYWORDS: Random composite material; E-glass fiber chopped; SEM; tensile test; Resin; Epoxy; Hardness
test
INTRODUCTION
Composite materials are a significant type of materials which are presently accessible to humankind in huge
amount. Lately, many glass reinforced by fiber composite materials are broadly utilized in the aviation and car
businesses. Composite materials are significant for mechanical, chemistry and structural architects, material
researchers for utilizing them on a lot of building and different applications. These materials have turned into
the option of customary basic materials, for example, steel, wood or metals in numerous applications [1]. The
technological development has increased on advances in the materials field. A random composite material is
one, which consists of mixing the particles of the materials working together to produce new metal have
properties which are dissimilar to the properties of singular material that they possess. It contains the most
important characteristic that the materials are not soluble to each other. Likewise, the random composite
material assume the role of the advancements designing material because of their fantastic mechanical
properties while being low weight, minimal cost, and profoundly adaptable. Composite essentially comprises a
matrix which around the reinforce in this way the strength and durability is existed that is important in a
specific field of utilization. Chopped strand mats are arbitrarily situated, give good strand, great wettability, and
scattering, and show even strength thought every which way. A researcher examined the investigation of
mechanical properties of E-Glass fiber chopped strand material with epoxy resin nanoclay composites, the point
of this work is to dissect the impact of nanoclay effect on the mechanical conduct of chopped strand E-glass
fiber, strengthened in the matrix of epoxy with filler of nanoclay [2]. Three distinct kinds of composites are
created utilizing 1wt% nanoclay, 5wt% nanoclay and 7wt% nanoclay with 30% wt fiber, resin of epoxy and
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
248
hardener. The resin and hardener are blended in 10:1 weight proportion. The outcomes of this investigation
demonstrate that the nanoclay significantly affects the mechanical conduct of composites. Another researcher
considered the examination the properties of tension and compression of the chopped strand material E-Glass
fiber reinforcement with epoxy matrix [3]. The points of this work is to get ready E-glass fiber reinforcement
composite with variety in fraction of volume of glass fiber substance such as 1%, 2% and 3% with Bi-sphenol
as matrix metal. Tension and compression investigation are directed on the preparation of composite materials.
A scholar explored the mechanical properties of chopped E-glass and empty natural product bundle palm
reinforcement the composites with polylactide acid [4]. Composites are created by arrangement throwing
pursued by palletization and hot pressure. Fiber fraction of volume of 20% was used with fluctuating
proportions of chopped E-glass and empty bundle palm fibers. Expansion of chopped E-glass filaments
improvement the strength and execution of composites materials. A researcher examine the impact of filler of
aluminum oxide on crack strength properties of chopped strand material E-Glass fiber reinforcement with
matrix of epoxy resin was assessed utilizing a specimen of tensile indicated by the standard ASTM D5045 [5].
The outcome demonstrated that the tensile strength of 4wt% filled of aluminum oxide composite is high
contrasted with 2wt%, 6wt%, 8wt%, 10wt% and neat composite. The toughness of fracture of arbitrary chopped
composite material were resolved. A group of researchers considered the inter-laminate shear strength, tension,
impact and flexural of chopped plain weave E-glass composites [6]. Fiber fraction of volume of 22%, 26%, and
30% were received. The outcomes demonstrate that lamination with three layers of plain weave materials
displayed better inter-laminate shear strength, tension, and flexural. Hence the laminations with two layers of
chopped strand materials and one layer of plain weave materials demonstrated improvement impact effect.
Also, SEM was utilized to investigate the fracture in the surface. A researcher studied chopped E-glass fiber-
reinforcement with epoxy resin (10%, 30% and 50%) were fabricated and their mechanical and tribological
behavior was investigated [7]. Performing the three points bending tests according to the ASTMD790 and tests
of tensile were performing as indicated by the ASTMD638 standards. Impact tests and hardness measurements
of the composites were also carried out. Wear behavior of composites was studied using pin on disc wear
testing device. The design of experiments approach, using Taguchi method, was employed to analyze the
results. The influence of parameters on the wear rate and coefficient of friction are determined by signal to
noise ratio and the analysis of variance. A previous researcher studied of mechanical and tribological
properties of hybrid composite material e-glass/epoxy with carbon powder, the aim of this work is to analyze
mechanical and wear behavior of chopped strand material E-glass fiber, reinforcement by epoxy matrix with
filler of carbon powder [8]. Three unique sorts of composites are manufactured utilizing 10% carbon,
20%carbon and 30% carbon with resin of epoxy and hardener. The resin of epoxy and hardener are mixed in
10:1 weight ratio. It shows that incorporation of carbon filler into E-glass fiber epoxy reinforcement composites
modifies the hardness compressive and properties of wear of the composites when compared with unfilled E-
glass epoxy composite. In the present paper the aims for the utilizing of random composite materials is to
improve the product design. Five different types of composites are fabricated using chopped E-glass fiber
reinforcement with epoxy resin with ratios 10% wt/wt, 20% 40%, 60%, and 80%. Tensile test, Hardness test
and SEM investigation are done to these specimens.
USED MATERIALS
In this paper, the used materials are: Fiberglass (E-glass) particles (from chopped E-glass fibers) reinforcement
with epoxy resin.
The epoxy resin is a DCP quickmast 105, manufactured in Jordan, and its properties illustrated in Table 1.
Table 1. General Properties Epoxy resin
Property Value
Compressive strength (Mpa) 70 @ 25C
Flexural strength (Mpa) ≥ 45 @ 25C
Tensile strength (Mpa) ≥ 25
Density (g/cm3) 1.1 ± 0.05
Viscosity (poise) 3 - 5 @ 25C
E-Glass Particles
Fiberglass (or E-glass) has weight light, amazingly solid, and vigorous material. Despite the fact that quality
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
249
properties are to some degree lower than carbon fiber and it is less stiff, the material is ordinarily far less brittle,
and the crude materials are substantially less costly. Its mass quality and weight properties are likewise truly
ideal when contrasted with metals, and it very well may be effectively framed utilizing molding forms,
Common employments of fiberglass incorporate boats, cars, showers, hot tubs, water tanks, material, funnels,
cladding, and outside entryway skins. Common properties of E-glass are recorded in table. 2.
Table 2. E-glass Mechanical Properties
Property Value
Specific gravity 2.54
Young’s modulus 72.40 Gpa
Ultimate tensile strength 3447 Mpa
Density 2 g/cm3
Chopped E-glass fibers were bought from a local market, and then were chopped to particles. Visual
comparison between normal Chopped E-glass fibers and Particles that were chopped from the (chopped fiber).
MANUFACTURING THE COMPOSITE SPECIMENS
The specimen is manufactured using Fiberglass (E-glass) particles (from chopped E-glass fibers) as shown in
Fig. (1), reinforced with epoxy resin.
Figure 1. Chopped E-glass fibers
Figure 2. The first trials compression method
The die used to manufacture the specimen was made of wood with smooth surfaces inside, the first attempts
were based on the idea of leaving the upper die cover open and to compress the paste inside the die then level it
with spatula and then close it with a cover as shown in Fig (2).
But this method led to a specimens manufacturing problems. The first trials were a disappointment and
produced bad specimens, the shape was not uniform and there was no smoothness and had many voids when
the specimen was to be cut, the specimen shown in Fig.(3) is a bad specimen production from the first trails.
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
250
Figure 3. A bad specimen production from the first trials
It’s obvious that there is no smoothness and the shape is not uniform and there are parts of the mold is ripped
off with the specimen ,this method was conducted with many trials for few weeks changing the lubrication
method and the method of compounding, but all changes lead to the same result. A newer way to manufacture
the specimen was conducted, this is done by closing all sides of mold leaving only one side open (the narrow
side), this method improved the product improving, the specimen shown in Fig.(4) is a sample of improved
manufacturing procedure were the shape was uniform about 98% but still has no smoothness, and still had
many voids when the specimen was to be cut.
Figure 4. The process of taping and oiling Figure 5. The process of enclosing the die
After few months of trials, the problem was analyzed and the solution was found, which can be summarized in
3 problems:
1. The mold had to be taped inside.
2. The mold must be oiled with car motors oil only.
3. The mold must be closed in all the directions and only opened from one of the narrow sides.
The following procedure explains how the mold must be made and used:
1. The mold must be taped and oiled with car oils; the tape makes the surface of the specimen extremely
smooth and also to be insulating layer between the mold and the specimen, while the car oil makes the
operation of taking of the specimen from the mold very easy.
2. The cover of the mold must be closed after step (no. 1) from all direction leaving the narrow side opened,
where the paste is to be compressed through this part as shown in Fig. (5)
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
251 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00Strain (%)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Str
ess [M
Pa
]
Figure 6. The injection process
After the calculations of fiber to matrix ratio are completed and the paste is ready, the paste is to be injected
through the narrow part of the mold with a stick with continues compression of the paste as shown in Fig. (6),
once the paste is all inside the mold, a small piece of wood with the same width and thickness of the opened
side and with specified length is to be placed and then hammered to close the gap and compress the paste inside
the mold.
The final product is homogenous, isotropic, smooth, gaps free and has the exact dimensions inside the mold, as
shown in Fig.(7).
Figure 7. E-glass/epoxy Tensile specimens
Tensile Test Result
The fundamental motivation behind this test is to discover the conduct of the specimens in the stress-strain
curve that the efficiency of the arbitrary composite and extreme tensile stress is determined as appeared in
Fig.(8).
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
252
Figure 8. Stress – Strain curves for random composite material with different weight ratio
The universal testing machine with 5 tons capacity was using as shown in Fig. (9). The test sample is set up as
per ASTM D 638-03 standard as appeared in Fig. (7). Fig. (10) shows tensile specimens after testing, the
fracture pattern of tensile samples having different ratios, fracture occurs near the tabbing region (Fig.10-a).
When the load increases the specimen gets elongated and max stress occurs below the tab in the specimen.
Fig. (8) demonstrates the outcomes for tensile investigation. The outcomes demonstrate that the strength of
tensile increments with 10 wt% that arrives at greatest worth. Hence, further increment in wt of E-glass
chopped, caused decreasing in the strength of tensile. Young’s modulus were obtained from the tensile test and
listed in the table 3, also poisons ratio was measured for each tensile specimen and calculated and are listed in
the table 3.
(a) (b)
Figure 9. Tensile test device Figure 10. Tensile specimens after testing
Table 3. Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s ratio for Composites
Item Young Modulus [Gpa] Poisson’s ratio
10% wt/wt 1.66 ν = 0.24
20% wt/wt 1 ν = 0.22
40% wt/wt 1.11 ν = 0.2
60% wt/wt 2 ν = 0.251
80% wt/wt 2 ν= 0.256
THE HARDNESS TEST
Hardness for each type of specimen was measured using a Rockwell B type machine. The weights were
mounted by the device (100 kg.f), which is the standard load for Rockwell B Type of test, the specimen was
centered on the holder and then the device wheel was screwed to the point where the specimen is in contact
with the rounded tip of the device, once there, the wheel is to be screwed very carefully until the reading on the
small gauge is pointed to “ Set “, then the large gauge is to be set to zero at the red scales, which represent
Rockwell B settings, once all these procedures are successfully completed, the lever of the device is to be
released to apply the load on the specimen, once the gauge is settled after few seconds, the lever is to be lifted
and the reading was taken from the gauge, seven readings were taken on each specimen then the average value
was obtained. The values of hardness were measured listed in table 4.
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
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Table 4. Hardness test result for Composites
Item Rockwell B
10% wt/wt 67.5
20% wt/wt 64.07
40% wt/wt 60.75
60% wt/wt 45
80% wt/wt 49.42
SEM RESULTS
Fig (11) illustrated the apparatus of SEM, was utilized to specify the conduct of mechanism of fracture for the
materials. Figs.(12)-(16) illustrated the SEM images of the fracture region with weight ratio 10, 20, 40, 60, 80
% respectively. The interface zone was obviously watched for each sort of blended. A mechanical interlock
mechanism is the jointing component between the chopped E-glass and epoxy resin, with no cavities. Hence,
the bonding mechanism was achieved by a Vannder Waals forces. The huge applied pressure came about in a
fixed built in along the interface zone with no gaps. Fig.(12) observed the fracture region of composite material
with 10% weight with magnification 500µm, Fig.(13) with 20% weight and 200µm ,100µm and 500µm
magnification, Fig.(14) with 40% weight and 200µm ,100µm and 500µm magnification, Fig.(15) with 60%
weight and 200µm ,100µm and 500µm magnification and Fig.(16) with 80% weight and 200µm ,100µm and
500µm magnification. It can be seen that there are voids, which occurred during the manufacturing process.
Also it can be observed the dislocation because of weak bonding of matrix and reinforcement.
Figure 11. SEM device
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
254
-a - -b- -c-
Figure 12. Composite material with 10% weight (a) magnification 500µm (b) magnification 500µm (c)
magnification 500µm
-a - -b- -c-
Figure 13. Composite material with 20% weight (a) magnification 200µm (b) magnification 100µm (c)
magnification 500µm
-a - -b- -c-
Figure 14. Ccomposite material with 40% weight (a) magnification 2mm (b) magnification 200µm (c)
magnification 100µm
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
255
-a - -b- -c-
Figure 15. Composite material with 60% weight (a) magnification 2mm (b) magnification 100µm (c)
magnification 200µm
-a - -b- -c-
Figure 16. Composite material with 80% weight (a) magnification 100µm (b) magnification 500µm (c)
magnification 200µm
CONCLUSIONS
The composite of chopped E-glass with epoxy resin is set up with various wt% viz 10wt %, 20wt%, 40wt%,
60wt% and 80wt%. From the study, following observations were concluded:
1. The effective manufacture of a chopped glass fiber reinforcement by epoxy resin with various proportion
has been done by simple hand lay-up technique.
2. The strength of tensile for 10wt% composite is higher contrasted with different proportions. It is seen that
the maximum elongation occurs at 10wt% and the minimum elongation at 20wt%.
3. The hardness for 10wt% composite is higher compared to other ratios.
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Mechanical Properties of Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin
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4. The present work shows that incorporation of Chopped E-glass with epoxy reinforced composites modifies
the tensile and hardness properties of the composites.
5. SEM examinations of fracture region were made to investigate the incorporation of chopped E-glass with
epoxy at different ratio. Its observed voids and dislocation due to the manufacturing process.
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