Enhancement of the mechanical properties of glass/polyester composites via matrix modification glass/polyester composite siloxane matrix modification

Enhancement of the mechanical and vibrational properties of glass/polyester composites was aimed via matrix modification technique. To achieve this, unsaturated polyester was modified by incorporation of oligomeric siloxane in the concentration range of 1–3 wt%. Modified matrix composites reinforced with woven roving glass fabric were compared with untreated glass/polyester in terms of mechanical and interlaminar properties by conducting tensile, flexure, and short-beam shear tests. It was found that after incorporation of 3 % oligomeric siloxane into the polyester matrix, the tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) values of the resulting composite increased by 16, 15, and 75 %, respectively. The increases in ILSS as well as in tensile and flexural properties were considered to be an indication of better fiber/matrix interaction as confirmed by SEM fractography images. Furthermore, the effect of oligomeric siloxane incorporation on the vibrational properties of the composites was investigated by experimental modal testing and the natural frequencies of the composites were found to increase with increasing siloxane concentration.