The properties of vinyl ester composites reinforced with different types of woven fabric and hollow phenolic microspheres

Abstract

This study compares the effects of hollow polymeric microspheres (PHMS) on specific mechanical properties and thermal properties of glass, basalt, and carbon woven fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites. The specific flexural and specific impact strengths of the composites were marginally increased with the addition of PHMS; however, it was at the expense of reduced specific flexural modulus. The thermal stability of the neat vinyl ester was improved with the addition of woven glass and carbon, but was consequently reduced with the further inclusion of PHMS. SEM observations identified the presence of the combined failure mechanism of fibers and PHMS. In short, the major reinforcing effect of the woven fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites is governed by the type of fiber used, while the addition of PHMS enhanced the ductility of the composites.