Im making a composite plate from Woven E-Glass fiber(600 gsm) and Ployester resin using a Volume Fraction of 50%. The total weight of the plate is not to exceed 15kg and area of the plate is 4.55m2.The thickness of the plate should be less than 3mm. Vaccum bagging is the preferred technique. 8 plies are to be made with 0/90 stacking sequence.
kindly instruct me how to manufacture the plate with the given specification. What quantity of fiber and resin should i add and how to USE GSM term ?
8 plies of 600 gram/meter^2 fabric with a Vf of 50% will yeild a thickness of 3.77 mm. 6 layers at 50% would yeild a thickness of 2.82mm. To get 8 layers down to 3mm would require a Vf of 63%. That would be tough with a heavy woven fabric like that. 7 layers at Vf 55% will get right at 3 mm.
I wouldn’t do the whole stack at 0/90. A large plate like that will develop a twist. I would go 0/90, +/-45, multiple 0/90 layers, +/-45, 0/90. You can do all on 0/90 if some type of frame in holding the sheet into position or a twist isn’t a problem. Adding a few layers on +/-45 will increase the impact resistance of the plate.
Thanks alot for the help. Can you please elaborate on the calculation that resulted in " 7 layers at Vf 55% will get 3 mm".
I cant figure that out. I am new to this field.
Thanks again
Take a look at the seartex material calculator or lamicens
Here you go:
600 grams/square meter x 7 layers = 4200 grams of fabric/meter^2
4200 grams/ 2.55 g/cc (density of e-glass) = 1647 cc of e-glass
The ratio by volume is 55/45 so,
1647 x 45 divided by 55 = 1347 cc of resin
1647 cc of glass + 1348 cc of resin = 2995 cc total volume
2995 cc / 10000 square cm (1 square meter area) = .2995 cm thick or 2.995mm
The hard part is controlling the process to get the desired Vf. I would do some small test panels to see what Vf your process will yield with that fabric. The fabric type can play a role is the final Vf. Typically the higher the areal weight of the fibric the lower the Vf. Many layers of 6 ounce fabric will typically yeild a higher Vf than fewer layers of 18 ounce fabric…although the expense and labor is usually higher with the lighter weight fabric.