RESPONSE ANALYSIS OF WEIGHT-BALANCEND COMPOSITE LAMINATES SUBJECTED TO BENDING LOADS

Abstract

Four types of composite laminates based on thermoset resin reinforced with roving glass fibers fabrics and mat structure, presenting different specific weights have been taken into account to analyze their response to bending loads. Sets of ten weight-balanced specimens for each type of composite material, manufactured at Compozite Ltd., Brasov have been tested on a LR5K Plus materials testing machine from Lloyd Instruments using the three-point bend method and NEXYGEN Plus software. Load-deflection distributions as well as stiffness, flexural rigidity and Young’s modulus of bending have been recorded and plotted in boxplot representations using the MATLAB software. The experimental analysis put into evidence that the eight layers of MAT300 composite laminate presents more than double flexural rigidity towards the other composite laminates taken into consideration.