CHARACTERISATION OF MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF POLYMER COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH GLASS FIBER AND GLASS POWDER

Abstract: Researchers are triggered by daily growth of environmental awareness and this leads to invention of more eco friendly composites. Natural fiber can be used instead of Synthetic fiber due to its superior mechanical properties in recent days as it possess high specific strength, small weight to strength ratio, low cost, eco friendly and bio degradable characteristics. It serves as a best alternative to glass, carbon and manmade fibers. Synthetic fibers burn more readily than natural fiber. In this present work, glass fiber and glass powder is reinforced with epoxy resin and hardener by using hand layup technique. Fiber length, orientation and thickness play a major role in determining the mechanical properties. Various samples were prepared by changing the fiber Proportion.

Keywords: Polymer Matrix Composite, Impact test, tensile test, Hardness test, Hybrid Composite