Fracture toughness of glass powder reinforced vinyl ester resin

Abstract

Composite materials are widely used in industry. Composites are used because they utilise a combination of materials which allows cost to be lowered, while at the same time, giving a new material with improved properties. The aim of this project was to determine which percentage of glass powder (by weight) would give the highest fracture toughness. Specimens of vinyl ester resin were made, reinforced with glass powder at different percentages (by weight). The percentage composition of glass powder (by weight) was 0 % - 35 % in 5 % intervals. Six specimens of each percentage composition was made, therefore, forty (40) specimens were made. The samples were cured in ambient conditions. After curing, they were post cured in a conventional oven over a period of ten hours, at different temperatures. This ensured the resin had fully cured throughout the specimen. Short bar tests were performed on the specimens. Using the data obtained, the fracture toughness was determined