This study compares the effects of hollow polymeric microspheres (PHMS) on specific mechanical properties and thermal properties of glass, basalt, and carbon woven fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites. The specific flexural and specific impact strengths of the composites were marginally increased with the addition of PHMS; however, it was at the expense of reduced specific flexural modulus. The thermal stability of the neat vinyl ester was improved with the addition of woven glass and carbon, but was consequently reduced with the further inclusion of PHMS. SEM observations identified the presence of the combined failure mechanism of fibers and PHMS. In short, the major reinforcing effect of the woven fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites is governed by the type of fiber used, while the addition of PHMS enhanced the ductility of the composites.
Ahmed KS and Vijayarangan S.Tensile, flexural and interlaminar shear properties of woven jute and jute-glass fabric reinforced polyester composites. J Mater Process Technol2008; 207: 330-335.
2.
Chowdhury FH , Hosur MV and Jeelani S.Investigations on the thermal and flexural properties of plain weave carbon/epoxy-nanoclay composites by hand-layup technique . J Mater Sci2007; 42: 2690-2700.
3.
Ratna D.Toughened FRP composites reinforced with glass and carbon fiber. Composites: Part A2008; 39: 462-469.
4.
Liu Q., Shaw MT and Parnas RSInvestigation of basalt fiber composite mechanical properties for applications in transportation. Polym Compos2006; 27: 41-48.
5.
Adanur S. and Onal L.Factors affecting the mechanical properties of laminated glass-graphite epoxy hybrid composites. J Ind Text2001; 31: 123-133.
6.
Cerny M., Glogar P. and Sucharda Z.Mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced composites prepared by partial pyrolysis of a polymer precursor. J Compos Mater2009; 43: 1109-1120.
7.
Chandradass J., Kumar MR and Velmurugan R.Effect of clay dispersion on mechanical, thermal and vibration properties of glass fiber- reinforced vinyl ester composites . J Reinf Plast Compos2008; 27: 1585-1601.
8.
Papa E., Corigliano A. and Rizzi E.Mechanical behaviour of a syntactic foam/glass fibre composite sandwich: Experimental results. Struct Eng Mech2001 ; 12(2): 169-188.
9.
Palumbo M. and Tempesti E.Fiber-reinforced syntactic foams as a new lightweight structural three-phase composite. Appl Compos Mater2001; 8: 343-359.
10.
Shivakumar KN, Swaminathan G. and Sharpe M.Carbon/vinyl ester composites for enhanced performance in marine applications. J Reinf Plast Compos2006; 25: 1101-1116.
11.
Mingchao W. , Zuoguang Z., Yubin L., Min L. and Zhijie S.Chemical durability and mechanical properties of alkali-proof basalt fiber and its reinforced epoxy composites. J Reinf Plast Compos2008; 27: 393-407.
12.
Cecen V., Sarikanat M., Yildiz H. and Tavman IHComparison of mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with stitched glass and carbon fabrics: Characterization of mechanical anisotropy in composites and investigation on the interaction between fiber and epoxy matrix. Polym Compos2008; 29: 840-853.
13.
Wouterson EM , Boey FYC , Hu X. and Wong SCSpecific properties and fracture toughness foam: Effect of foam microstructures . Compos Sci Technol2005; 65: 1840-1850.
14.
Wouterson EM , Boey FYC , Hu X. and Wong SCEffect of fiber reinforcement on the tensile, fracture, and thermal properties of syntactic foam. Polym2007; 48: 3183-3191.
15.
Deak T. and Czigany T.Chemical composition and mechanical properties of basalt and glass fibers: A comparison. Text Res J2009; 79: 645-651.
16.
Palumbo M., Donzella G., Tempesti E. and Ferruti P.On the compressive elasticity of epoxy resins filled with hollow glass microspheres . J Appl Polym Sci1996; 60: 47-53.
17.
Siriwaredena S., Ismail H., Ishiaku US and Perera MCS.Mechanical and morphological properties of white rice husk ash filled polypropylene/ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer thermoplastic elastomer composites. J Appl Polym Sci2002; 85: 438-453.
18.
Ambrogi V., Cosco S., Carfagna C., Cicala G., Oliveri L. and Recca A.Comparison of the effect of epoxy microspheres on the thermomechanical and rheological properties of an epoxy resin system. Polym Eng Sci2006; 46: 1739-1747.
19.
Maharsia RR and Jero HDEnhancing tensile strength and toughness in syntactic foams through nanoclay reinforcement. Mater Sci Eng, A 2007; 454-455: 416-422.
20.
Lee J. and Yee AFInorganic particle toughening I: Micro-mechanical deformations in the fracture of glass bead filled epoxies. Polym2001; 42: 577-588.
21.
Pritchard G. and Yang Q.Microscopy of impact damage in particulate-filled glass-epoxy laminates. J Mater Sci1994; 29: 5047-5053.
22.
Mottram JT, Geary B. and Taylor R.Thermal expansion of phenolic resin and phenolic-fibre composites . J Mater Sci1992; 27: 5015-5026.
23.
Nakagaito AN and Yano H.The effect of fiber content on the mechanical and thermal expansion properties of biocomposites based on microfibrillated cellulose. Cellulose2008 ; 15: 555-559.
24.
Vanaja A. and Rao Rmvgk.Fibre fraction effects on thermal degradation behaviour of GFRP, CFRP and hybrid composites. J Reinf Plast Compos2002 ; 21: 1389-1398.
25.
Cao S., Woo Z and Wang X. Tensile properties of CFRP and Hybrid FRP composites at elevated temperatures. J Compos Mater2009 ; 43: 315-330.
26.
Militky J., Kovacic V. and Bajzik V.Mechanical properties of basalt filaments. Fibres Text East Eur2007; 15: 64-65.
Glogar P., Sucharda Z., Eerny M., Puchegger S. and Peterlik H.Microstructures and mechanical properties of heat resistant composites reinforced with basalt fibers. Ceram-Silik2007; 51(4): 190-197.
29.
Haiyun J., Jigang W., Zhichao D. and Fan L.Study on the microstructure evolution of phenol-formaldehyde resin modified by ceramic additive. Front Mater Sci Chin2007; 1(1): 35-39.
30.
Torre L., Kenny JM, Boghetich G. and Maffezzoli A.Degradation behaviour of a composite material for thermal protection systems. Part III char characterization. J Mater Sci2000; 35: 4563-4566.
