Development And Characterization Of E-glass Particulate Reinforced Epoxy Composite For Automobile Application

Résumé: The structure and mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with E-glass particles have been evaluated to assess the possibility of using the composite as a new material for car bumper fabrication. Epoxy resin of the type LY556 reinforced with 5 – 25% of E-glass particles added at 5% intervals was investigated. The fabrication of E-glass particle reinforced epoxy composite was successful and a prototype car bumper was made. The newly developed E-Glass particles/epoxy composites were characterized for their mechanical and structural properties using Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Tensile, Flexural, and Impact tests. The results showed that 20 wt. % glass particle addition gave the ultimate mechanical properties with tensile and flexural strengths of 154.5 and 181.55 MPa respectively. SEM morphology had also shown good adhesion between fibers and polymer matrix up to 20 wt. % glass particle addition with minimal segregation of reinforcement glass particles. Thermal stability of the composite was not impaired going by a stable degradation temperature (Td) after E-glass particles addition. A prototype bumper was fabricated from epoxy-15 wt% E glass particle composite possessing peak impact energy.

Publié dans la revue: Journal of Materials and Engineering Structures