Mechanical characterization of new glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites were made using CTPEGA [carboxyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) adipate] modified epoxy as a matrix and characterized for their flexural properties, impact strength and interlaminar shear stress (ILSS). The volume fraction of glass was about 0.45 for all the composites. The concentration of CTPEGA in the matrix was varied gradually from 0 to 40 phr (parts per hundred parts of resin), to investigate the effect of CTPEGA concentration on the mechanical properties of the composites. It was found that the flexural strength and ILSS gradually decreases with increase in CTPEGA concentration. However, the impact strength of the composites increases up to 20 phr of CTPEGA concentration and decreases thereafter. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the fracture surface indicates massive plastic deformation in modified epoxy based composites. Polym. Compos. 25:165–171, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.