STRESS MECHANICS OF REINFORCED POLYESTER COMPOSITES

This research investigates the stress mechanics of reinforced polyester composites when exposure to a sudden impact force, using experimental and analytical methods based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) test procedures. In this study, distribution around crack tip zone for 14 samples with geometry 210 mm x 150 were investigated. KII intensity factors, critical stress, σC, shear τnt energy, E strength, U determined each specimen. The mode I fracture toughness, KIC was found be 4.97 MPa.m1/2 at 13.53 MPa while II KIIC 1.31 3.71 MPa. effective thickness in range 80-100mm fibre volume fraction, Vf within 0.35-0.50. largely as result bridging arrest mechanisms. mechanism prevented growth direction specimens containing woven roving not propagate along original direction, but change an inclined path till failure exception those soft hard mat which grew increased. During test, stacking sequence played vital role, thereby making resist damage failure, resulted pull-out during fracture. could seen concentrated loading pins smaller level, compared level tip.