EFFECT OF CARBON NANO TUBES ON EROSION WEAR OF CARBON FIBER, GLASS FIBER & KEVLAR FIBER REINFORCED UNSATURATED POLYESTER COMPOSITES

Abstract

In the present study, nano composites were prepared by Hand lay-up molding. The nano composites component of the unsaturated polyester resin (UP) as a matrix, 3% volume fractions of Carbon Fiber (C.F), Glass Fibers (G.F), Kevlar Fiber (K.F) as reinforcement and (0.5%,1%, 1.5% and 2%) volume fractions of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) as filler. The erosion wear behavior of this nano composite at four different impingement angles 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° and four angular silica sand abrasive particle sizes 400, 500 , 600 and 800 μm and density were studied. The results showed that the specimens (UP + 3% (GF, CF, KF) +2% CNTs) have the maximum density when compared with the other volume fractions. The nonreinforced unsaturated polyester have lower erosion resistance than nano composites and the specimen (polyester +3% carbon fiber + 0.5% CNTs) has higher erosion resistance than other nano composites at 15cm, angle 30°, grin size of sand 400µm and 15 hour. Application of this work in protection of aircraft structure, turbine blades and pipes from erosion. The Taguchi experimental design ANOVA shows that the filler content factor has great effect on erosion rate of CNTs filled carbon, glass and Kevlar fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester resin.

Erosion Wear Behavior of Natural and Industrial Material for Polymer Matrix Composite by Using Taguchi Analysis

“…This analysis and experimental design MINITAB (19) of the erosion of specimens prepared by using hand lay-up technique from eggshells and CaCO 3 particles filled with epoxy-chopped glass fiber leads to the following conclusions:…”