Influence of Preload on Mechanical Bending Specifications of Fiberglass with Epoxy Matrix Composite

Abstract

In this paper, the influence of pre-load on bending response for epoxy matrix shields with fiberglass composite is considered to improving their mechanical properties. We studied for this target, five samples were produced and formulated according to four various preload states groups (0, 5, 8 and 10 N) respectively. The experimental test states investigated here allow estimating and discerning the influence of preload on the bending action. The outcome experimental results appear that using procedure of dead weight pre-load for production of fiber glass composite materials will enhance the mechanical specifications compared with non- loaded and leads to increase the magnitudes of stress-strain curves significantly and the percentage of improving the ultimate of bending stress for specimens of pre-load (10 N) reach to (98.8%) comparing with reference control specimens, while the Stiffness of composite increased to (0.1167MN/mm). Bending deflection curves for pre-load specimens decreased significantly cause the positive influence of residual stress. The difference between the elongation percentage of control reference sample (0N) and sample of pre-load (10N) decreased and reached to (59.79%). The ratio of max rupture strength for sample pre-load (10 N) with respect to control counterpart increased and goes to (95.14%). That’s mean improvement in composite properties due to effect of applied pre-load on fiber glass.

Keywords- Preload; fiber glass; Polymer Matrix; Composite material; Pre-stress; Bending stress