Mechanical properties of plastic matrix composite materials used in tractor bonnets

Abstract

The effects of chemical structure of the resin, reinforcement types, material thickness, and post-cure treatment on the mechanical properties of composite material were examined in this study. Composite materials were produced by combining chopped, woven, and felt glass fibers with thermoset plastic-based matrixes. Orthophtalic polyester (polives 701) and bisphenol-A epoxy vinyl ester (polives3401) resins were chopped in combination with a catalyst system composed of MEK-PEROKSIT and cobalt, and were reinforced with chopped, woven, and felt glass fiber. Composite materials were prepared using a hand lay-up method. Half of the prepared composite materials were post-cured, the other half remained non-treated. A total of 75 tests were performed. Tensile, bending, impact, and hardness tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties of the samples. The test results indicated that durable and strong tractor bonnets can be produced using vinyl ester-based matrix material and 90 degrees glass fiber woven reinforcement material, producing two-layered composite material and curing at 50 degrees C, 80 degrees C, and 110 degrees C.