Abstract
Composite material is a technique in which more than one material is combined to produce a single material in which the properties of individual material is synchronized into single material with higher quality properties. In this investigation the reinforcement effect of Kevlar fabric on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin are studied. The epoxy resin used in the current investigation is Bisphenol A. The mechanical properties studied are tensile strength, bending strength and compressive strength. The reinforcement of above mentioned materials have proved its effect in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy resin.
1. Introduction
Epoxy resins offer unique combination of mechanical properties which are least…show more content… The fabric is cut suitably to fit into the mold. The resin (90 wt %) was taken into a beaker. Proportionate quantity of Promoter, Accelerator and then Catalyst were added to the epoxy resin. Once the hardeners were added, the mixture was stirred well using electrical hand blender. The mixture was then kept aside and was allowed to settle down so that the bubbles rise and collapse in the mold. Two separate molds were used for tensile/bending test and compression test respectively. Once it was conformed that all the bubbles were collapsed in the resin, the moulds were sprayed with releasing agent and a single layer of resin was slowly transferred into the mould. The releasing spray was for the meant of easy removal of the composite after curing. After this, the pre-cut Kevlar fabric of 460 gsm was put on the layer of pre poured resin in the mould. There were chances of entrapped gas in the composite, to overcome this problem, rolling was…show more content… It is observed that with 10wt% Kevlar fabric corresponding to neat epoxy, there is 19.9%, 16.17% and 8.03% improvement in tensile, bending and compression strength respectively compared to the neat epoxy.
The tensile strength of neat epoxy as given in table 3.1 is 76.41MPa. Bending and compression strength are 88.21 and 100.36 respectively. These values are compared with the Kevlar reinforced epoxy resin composite.
From table 3.1 the tensile strength of Kevlar reinforced epoxy resin is given by 91.62 MPa which shows 19.9% increase in tensile strength compared to the neat epoxy. The increase in tensile strength in the inherent properties of Kevlar fabric it possesses. Kevlar is a high density material and has high mechanical properties so when it is reinforced with epoxy resin ultimately it improves its mechanical property such as tensile strength
The bending strength of Kevlar reinforced epoxy resin composite is 88.21 MPa as shown in table 3.1 which