Mechanical analysis of glass/vinylester hybrid composites

This research investigated the effects of the insertion of non-structural ply (NSP) materials on the mechanical properties of a glass/vinylester composite panel. Seven NSP materials were investigated (0.2 oz/yd2 carbon fiber, 0.5 oz/yd carbon fiber, silver coated nylon knit, woven copper coated nylon, non-woven copper coated nylon, copper woven metal, and copper expanded metal) that covered a range of stiffness, and structural types. The panel mechanical properties of interest were the flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength, and axial compression strength. Studies were also performed to relate the stiffness, pore area fraction, and wettability of the NSP's to the mechanical properties of the composite. In addition to the NSP's, the effects of exposure to 95% humidity at 50°C and to seawater spray at 30°C for 1000 hours, each, on the mechanical properties were investigated.; Comparison of the results of the treated (environmentally exposed) panels to the non-treated panels showed that environmental exposure had a minimal effect on the mechanical properties of the panels. Additionally, comparison of the results of the panels containing a NSP to the no-ply panels showed that only one NSP material performed unsatisfactorily. The woven copper coated nylon (copper flectron) consistently showed reduced mechanical properties and exhibited catastrophic delamination.; The presence of a NSP, generally, did not have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the composite panels. Provided that the NSP has a pore area fraction above 2%, there isn't a significant reduction in the mechanical properties. Overall, neither the type of material, nor the structure of the material had an effect on the mechanical properties either. Therefore, if the NSP is chosen properly there is no reason to conclude that it would compromise the integrity of the composite panel.