A Study on Influence of Inlet Pressure and Fiber Architecture on The Quality of Sample Made From VARTM

Volume 8 Issue 3 May - July 2018

Research Paper

A Study on Influence of Inlet Pressure and Fiber Architecture on The Quality of Sample Made From VARTM

L. Ramesh*, A. M. K. Prasad**, G. Chandra Mohan Reddy***, D. V. Ravi Shankar****, M. A. Mateen*****

*Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

** Retired Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

*** Principal and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

**** Professor and Principal, TKR College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

*****Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nizam Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Ramesh, L., Prasad, A. M. K., Reddy, G. C. M., Shankar, D. V. R., and Mateen, M. A. (2018). A Study on Influence of Inlet Pressure and Fiber Architecture on the Quality of Sample Made From VARTM. i-manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 8(3), 46-52. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.8.3.14182

Abstract

Fiber reinforced polymers are used extensively in various engineering applications due to their advantages such as producing any component with any form and shape. Resin infusion process is the most effective technique being employed in processing of components with intricate geometric details. However, the mechanical behavior is affected by various parameters in such production process. The present study aims at understanding the effect of parameters such as fiber architectures, number of layers, and inlet vacuum in the mould on the mechanical properties of the e-glass/polyester composites. Two different fiber architectures (i) chopped strand and (ii) Unidirectional (UD) mat are selected where the number of layers are varied as 4 layers, 5 layers, and 6 layers. Three different vacuum pressures (i) 200 mm of Hg, (ii) 300 mm of Hg, and (iii) 400 mm of Hg are selected in the present study for preparation of samples. The results indicate that there is a considerable effect of the above said parameters on the mechanical behavior of the material.