International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 9, Issue 7, July 2018, pp. 1–5, Article ID: IJMET_09_07_001

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=7
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

BEHAVIORAL STUDY OF MECHANICAL

PROPERTIES OF GLASS FIBER-EPOXY
COMPOSITES UNDER MOISTURE
ABSORPTION
U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar*, Sathyashankara Sharma and Pavan Hiremath
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology,
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal-576104, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT
The effect of moisture on mechanical properties of glass fiber-epoxy composites
was investigated. Composite specimens of woven glass fiber and epoxy resin with
different wt.% of glass fiber (40 & 60) were prepared. The specimens were subjected
to different hygrothermal conditions viz., cold soaking and boiling soaking, to study
the effect moisture on tensile and flexural strength of these composites. The weights of
the specimens were recurrently checked before and after the soaking, to calculate the
amount of moisture absorption. Mechanical tests viz., tensile and flexural tests were
carried out according to ASTM D3039 and D7264 standard, respectively. The results
reveled that, increase in glass fiber weight percentage increased the tensile strength,
but decreased the flexural strength. Tensile and flexural strength for soaked samples
had decreased vividly as compared to the dry samples.
Keywords: Glass fiber-epoxy composites, Cold soaking, Boiling soaking, Interfacial
Bonding, Delamination
Cite this Article: U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar, Sathyashankara Sharma and
Pavan Hiremath, Behavioral Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy
Composites under Moisture Absorption, International Journal of Mechanical
Engineering and Technology, 9(7), 2018, pp. 1–5
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=7

1. INTRODUCTION
In general, “composite” means “a material prepared by two or more different constituents” or
“a combination of two or more different constituents, which are mixed at macroscopic level to
get the best of their properties” [1]. There are several applications, in which Glass Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) are exposed to wet service conditions and elevated temperatures
[2]. The properties of GFRP composites are affected by moisture and elevated temperatures in
their service life [3].

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 U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar, Sathyashankara Sharma and Pavan Hiremath

Many researchers [4-10] studied on the moisture effect on glass fiber-epoxy composites.
The moisture uptake depends on glass fiber weight percentage, duration of soaking and
temperature. Moisture uptake into the matrix, affects properties through various mechanisms
like swelling, plasticization, hydrolysis and crazing. Wet service conditions and elevated
temperatures have vigorous effects on the properties of polymer matrix. Normally matrixes
absorb more moisture and get degraded. Degradation of polymer matrix affects the interface
of fiber and matrix, which leads to delamination or de-bonding of glass fiber with polymer
matrix.
The aim of this study is to investigate the moisture uptake effect on the mechanical
properties of glass fiber-epoxy composites with different weight percentage (40 & 60) of glass
fiber, under cold soaking and boiling soaking conditions.

2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1. Preparation of Specimens
Epoxy Resin L-12 with hardener K-6 (Mixing ratio 10:1, supplied by Atul Polymers, Gujurat,
India) and E-glass fiber (Plain Woven, Bilateral, 360 GSM, supplied by Yuje Enterprises
Bengaluru, India) were used as raw materials for preparation of composites at 40 and 60 wt%
of glass fiber. Hand lay-up technique was used (figure 1), for the preparation of composites
[11].

Figure 1 Technique flow chart of GFRP by hand lay-up

2.2. Moisture Absorption

The specimens were dried initially in an oven at 100°C and checked the primary weight
prior to immersion for cold soaking and boiling soaking. Later the weights of cold and boiling
soaked specimens were checked to determine percentage of moisture uptake [12].
The percentage of moisture uptake is given by:
Weight after absorption – Weight of dry specimen 100
% of Moisture uptake =
Weight of dry specimen

2.3. Cold Soaking

Specimens are soaked in water for the period of 300 h at room temperature. Weights of the
specimens are noted down before and after cold soaking.

2.4. Boiling Soaking

Specimens are boiled for 2 h and dried for next 22 h. This course is repeated for 5 times for a
total of 10 h. Weight of the specimens are noted down before and after boiling soaking.

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 Behavioral Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites under Moisture
Absorption

2.5. Testing
The tensile and flexural tests of all the specimens were carried out using a computerized
“Universal Testing Machine” (UTM) (FIE Make, UNITEK – 9450) according to the ASTM
D3039 and ASTM D7264 respectively. To minimize error minimum three specimens for each
condition were tested.

2.6. Microstructure Analysis

The fractured surfaces of the tensile test specimens were analyzed using Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM); Model: EVO18, ZEISS. The factors contributed towards failure of
specimens could be determined by careful observation of the SEM micrographs.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Moisture Absorption

Figure 2 Moisture Absorption in %

Figure 2 shows the correlation between the percentage of moisture absorption of the
composites with different testing conditions viz., cold soaking and boiling soaking. It is
noticeable that, the percentage of moisture absorption reduced with increase in glass fiber
weight percentage in the composites. This indicates that the moisture is mostly adsorbed by
epoxy, not glass fiber. There is an escalation in the specimens weight in boiling water soaking
as compared to cold soaking specimens. Moisture uptake increases swiftly at elevated
temperature. It may be due to the expansion of epoxy matrix and weakening of interfacial
bonding strength of epoxy and reinforcement [12].

3.2. Tensile Test

Figure 3 Tensile Strength in MPa

Figure 3 shows, the results of tensile test for each type of specimen without soaking (dry
specimen), with cold soaking and boiling soaking. It is noticed that, increase in the weight
percentage of glass fiber in the composite increases the tensile strength. Dry specimens have
higher tensile strength in comparison with unlike the immersed specimens. Tensile strength of
cold soaked specimens decreased by 11% for 40 wt% glass fiber and 10% for 60 wt% glass
fiber composites as compared to dry specimens. Decline in tensile strength, may be due to
water absorption in the composites. [4]. Further, tensile strength of boiling soaked specimens
decreased by 18% for 40 wt% glass fiber and 17% for 60 wt% glass fiber composites as

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 U Achutha Kini, Manjunath Shettar, Sathyashankara Sharma and Pavan Hiremath

compared to dry specimens. Reduction in tensile strength, due to water absorption, effect of
swelling and thermal stress, which increases swiftly at elevated temperature [8].

3.3. Flexural Test

Figure 4 Flexural Strength in MPa

Figure 4 shows, the results of flexural strength for each type of specimen without soaking
(dry specimen) and with cold soaking and boiling soaking. It is noticed that, increase in the
weight percentage of glass fiber in the composite decreases the flexural strength. It is quite
hypothetical because it depends on the fracture mode. Usually, the flexural failure is driven by
the compression failure mode on the upper side of the specimen. If so, the compression
strength should decrease with increased fiber amount, because the fibers are less supported by
matrix. Also, it depends on the method of composites preparation. Flexural strength for
soaked samples decreased vividly as compared to the dry samples. Flexural strength
decreased by 17% for 40 wt% glass fiber and 29% for 60 wt% glass fiber composites for both
cold & boiling soaked specimens as compared to dry specimens, due to water uptake which
weakened the interfacial bonding strength.

3.4. Microstructure Analysis

(a) (b)

(c)

Figure 5 Micrographs of fractured tensile test specimen

The micrographs of the fractured tensile test specimens are shown in figure 5. Figure 5 (a)
shows the failure of specimen due to rupture and pulling out of the glass fiber, under tensile
load. Figure 5 (b) shows broken fiber end, which revels the de-bonding of glass fiber and

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 Behavioral Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites under Moisture
Absorption

epoxy resin. Figure 5 (c) shows the interface region of fiber and matrix. Here degradation of
matrix due to moisture uptake, which might have led to delamination of fiber and matrix is
also observed.

4. CONCLUSION
The effect of moisture on the tensile and flexural strength of glass fiber-epoxy composites
with different weight percent (40 & 60 wt%) is investigated. The moisture absorption reduced
with increase in glass fiber weight percentage in the composites. There is a higher escalation
in weight of the specimens in boiling water soaking compared to cold soaking specimens.
Moisture uptake increases swiftly at elevated temperatures. Increase in the glass fiber weight
percentage in the composite increased the tensile strength, but decreased flexural strength.
Dry specimens have higher tensile and flexural strengths unlike the immersed specimens,
where both tensile and flexural strength have decreased.

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