Mechanical and Erosion Wear Characterization

This work presents a study of the physical and mechanical properties and erosion wear of traditional and hybrid polyester matrix composites. Traditional and hybrid composites were prepared by Hand lay-up molding and investigated. The composites constituents were unsaturated polyester resin as the matrix, 3% and 6% volume fractions of carbon fibers as reinforcement and 3% of Al2O3, Al, Cement and local Gypsum as filler particles. The investigated physical properties were density, porosity, water absorption and thermal conductivity, while the mechanical properties were hardness, tensile properties, bending modulus of elasticity, shear stress and impact properties (impact strength, fracture toughness). Solid particles erosion wear tests are also carried out. The experimental results showed that increased volume fraction of carbon fibers to (6%) led to increase in physical properties (density, porosity, water absorption and thermal conductivity).