Effect of bi-directional and multi-directional fibers on the mechanical properties of glass fiber-epoxy composites

Customized properties can be attained for composite materials by varying the percentage of matrix and reinforcement materials and also by laying out the reinforcement in different orientations in the matrix. The present work aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of bi-directional (all layers at 0° and 90°) and multi-directional (laid at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°) woven glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites. The composites were prepared by the hand-lay-up method. The tensile and flexural strengths of the composites were studied as per ASTM standards. The maximum tensile and flexural strengths of 193 MPa and 232 Mpa respectively were attained for composites with bi-directional fibres containing 12 layers. The mechanism of failure for the tested samples was investigated by a scanning electron microscope and the results are reported. (paper)