LINEAR DENSITY CHRONICLES: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF E-GLASS THERMOSET AND THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES

This comprehensive investigation delves into the mechanical characteristics of E-glass reinforcement at varying linear densities in two-dimensional (2D) woven fabric-reinforced composites employing both thermoplastic and thermoset matrices. By scrutinizing tensile strength, flexural strength, edge-wise impact resistance and out-of-plane impact properties, the study optimizes composite materials and sheds light on the influence of linear density on the mechanical properties of thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Key insights underscore the superior in-plane load-bearing capacity of thermoset composites under quasi-static conditions, contrasting with the exceptional edge-wise and out-of-plane impact resistance exhibited by thermoplastic composites. Furthermore, the study reveals that thermoset composites outperform their thermoplastic counterparts in tensile and flexural properties, with discernible deviations in quasi-static mechanical properties with increasing linear density. In both thermoplastic and thermoset composites, specimens that had lower linear density reinforcement demonstrated enhanced mechanical performance under quasi-static circumstances. Nevertheless, when subjected to dynamic conditions, thermoplastic composites exhibited this pattern, whereas thermoset composites demonstrated divergent characteristics. In the context of low-velocity impact events, it was shown that Thermoplastic 600 Tex Glass Fabric Reinforced Composite (TP6G2DFRC) exhibited greater performance compared to all other specimens, even those with higher linear density. Conversely, in thermoset composites, Thermoplastic 1200 Tex Glass Fabric Reinforced Composite (TS12G2DFRC) demonstrated notable superiority over Thermoplastic 600 Tex Glass Fabric Reinforced Composite (TS6G2DFRC), despite possessing a higher linear density