Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Functionally Graded Unidirectional Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

This paper aims to assess experimentally the mechanical and tribological behavior of conventional and functionally graded (FG) polymeric matrix composites reinforced with continuous glass fibers. The small punch test (SPT) and a pin-on-disc device were used in the present work to examine the mechanical and wear behavior, respectively. The hand lay-up technique was used in the present investigation to manufacture the conventional and FG composites. Various wooden looms with different nailed spacing were employed to manufacture the FG composites. According to test type, the FG composite is composed of four and ten layers, with a different glass fiber volume of fraction (Vf%) for each layer. In addition, the finite element simulation based on Hashin’s failure criterion and cohesive zone modeling was used to show the progressive failure and give more explanation regarding the flexural behavior of such composites. The present results indicate that the wear rate of an FG composite could be affected by many factors, including the disk speed, applied load, the composite layers number, and average glass fiber volume fraction. On the other hand, the arrangement of layers in the composite materials by variation of Vf% for each layer can improve the wear rate and value of the ultimate load before the fracture of the composite material when subjected to SPT. The experimental and numerical results for all SPT specimens showed that the fracture of the SPT specimens began beneath the punch tip and grew along the fiber direction. The ultimate flexural capacity of FG composites increased by 30% compared with the conventional composites.

Epoxy–Date Palm Fiber Composites: Study on Manufacturing and Properties

“…Thermosetting composites (i.e., natural fiber and Epoxy) offer many advantages such as (1) low-cost materials, (2) obtainable, (3) simple manufacturing technique (4) low density, (5) high degradability, and ( 6) not harmful to the human body. These features make Epoxy-date palm fiber (DPF) composites a good candidate to replace traditional materials like steel and aluminum [8,9]. Natural fibers' low compatibility with the matrix and relatively significant moisture absorption are the primary drawbacks of employing them as reinforcement in composites [10].…”

Effects of graphene-platelets reinforcement on the free vibration, bending, and buckling of porous functionally-graded metal-ceramic plates

“…FG polymeric-matrix laminates provide higher flexural capacity and sliding-wear resistance than conventional laminates. 1 Joining polymer-matrix composites by FG adhesives allows significant reduction of peel stress and facilitates the realization of lighter aeronautical structures. 2 FG thermal-protection systems offer high heat insulation and smooth temperature variation along the FGM thickness, and also maintained structural integrity after prolonged thermal cyclings.…”

Tribological Investigation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites against 52100 Chrome Alloy Steel Based on ELECTRE Decision-Making Method

“…In the bibliography, refs [ 2 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ] research investigations were carried out on a composite of unidirectional oriented GF type E epoxy based on the ball-on-ring method to examine the wear and friction properties. The findings indicate that an increase in dry or wet conditions enhances both the friction coefficient and wear rate.…”