The effect of stacking sequence and fiber orientation on tensile and flexural strength of fiber reinforced composite fabricated by VARTM process

Abstract

In this study, Carbon, Glass, and Aramid fiber reinforced composite and their hybridized forms were fabricated using five different stacking sequences of the fabrics. Using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) procedure, epoxy resin was injected into these fabrics and allowed to cure at room temperature. From these five stacking sequences, a standard specimen with four different orientations viz. 0/90°, 15/75°, 30/60°, 45/-45° orientations were obtained using the Abrasive Water Jet Machining(AWJM) Process. The influence of stacking order and fiber orientation on tensile and flexural properties of composite was investigated. From the result of tensile testing, the highest and lowest tensile strength values were observed for neat carbon fiber reinforced composite at 0/90° orientation and at 45/-45° orientation respectively. The highest flexural strength was achieved in a hybrid combination of two layers of carbon, glass and aramid fabric for 0/90° whereas the lowest flexural strength was found in glass reinforced composite for the 45/-45° orientation.