Hardness of Laminated Composite for Different Angle Cured Positions under Influence of Gravity Effects

摘要

Utilization of high tech engineering materials such as composites has been extensively applied in the industries of civil, mechanical and aerospace due to their favourable characteristic such as high stiffness to weight ratio, improve corrosion and environmental resistance and potential reduction of processing. This research is carried out to study the feasibility of laminated composite after cured at different angle due to gravity effects to enhance the curing space required. Vertically cured laminate having similar or improved properties with common horizontally cured laminate to save much space bringing huge advantage especially to the developing Small and Medium Industries/Entrepreneurs (SMI/E). The horizontal cured laminate composite no doubt will fill up the spaces which SMI/E lacks of. Polyester and E-type fiber glass were the main raw materials used in the research via vacuum bagging technique to drain out the excess resin applied as well as minimize the void or air in the laminated composite. The laminated composite fabricated is cured at different curing angle positions in room temperature for 24 hours under the gravity effects. Five samples were prepared according to the ASTM standard to undergo hardness test. From the testing, SN6 which cured at 75° had the closest hardness to the horizontal cured control sample.