Theoretical and experimental compressive strength of a glass fiber – vinyl ester pultruded composite

Abstract

A simple method of compressive strength measurement of a continuously pultruded unidirectional glass-vinyl ester rod is developed. Measured compressive strength was quite high. Compared to a unidirectional composite laminate of the same composition, compressive strength values were doubled. The study shows that glass fiber composites have the potential for high compressive strength. This potential is reached with excellent fiber alignment and suitable matrix characteristics. Results of both laminate and pultruded composites are shown to be consistent with model predictions, with the primary delineating factor being fiber alignment.