MACHINE MODELING AND SIMULATIONS, Machine Modeling and Simulations 2021

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Composite materials with epoxy matrix and their properties
Petra Skalková, Vladimíra Krmelová, Jan Krmela, Darina Ondrušová, Andrej Crkoň, Eleonóra Benčíková

Last modified: 10. 05. 2023

Abstract


This work was focused on studying the properties of epoxy (EP) composite materials reinforced with glass, (GF) carbon (CF) and aramid (AF) fibres. The composites were made by hand lay-up (HL) and vacuum infusion process (VIP) with 8, 10, 12 number of fabric layers. Studied were tensile strength, elongation, flexural stress, flexural strain, thermal stability, texture of surfaces, cuts, fractures of laminates and the thickness of the laminate according to the type and number of layers of fabric and the method of manufacture. Composites made by VIP achieve better mechanical properties than composites made by HL. Tensile strength was highest in composites reinforced with AF. Composite materials reinforced with GF exhibit the lowest values of tensile strength. Flexural strength was significantly the highest in CF reinforced composites followed by the laminates reinforced with GF and AF. The highest values of flexural deformation were measured in composites reinforced with AF and the lowest values of flexural deformation were measured in composites reinforced with CF. By thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was recorded weight loss of the EP matrix in the range from 290 to 480 °C and AF in range from 530 to 605 °C. By TGA was demonstrated lower content of EP matrix in the composites made by VIP, which was confirmed by comparison of thickness of the studied laminates.