Composition and Physico-Mechanical Properties of Thermosetting Fiberglass

The purpose of the work. Development of a method for analyzing the composition of fiberglass raw materials using nanoanalytical equipment, studying its components and comparing them with the physical and mechanical properties of finished (polymerized) products to predict product quality. Determination of the atomic and partially molecular composition of samples. Establishment of the percentage ratio of the polymer matrix and fillers. Determination of the average diameter and length of a fiberglass fiber in various samples. Comparison of the physical and mechanical properties of prototypes and the data obtained on their composition.

Methods. Measurement of the average diameter of glass fiber in various samples was carried out using a JEOL 6610LV scanning electron microscope of the Regional Nanotechnology Center of SWSU. The atomic composition of the premixes was determined on an Oxford EMF attachment for an electron microscope. An IR Fourier spectrometer was chosen to study the molecular composition. The percentage ratio of the polymer matrix and fillers was determined using thermogravimetric analysis. The measurement of the average length of a fiberglass fiber was carried out by means of image processing in the Gwyddion software environment. 

Results. With the help of nanoanalytical equipment, the parameters of IUD composite materials were obtained: the composition and percentage of the polymer matrix, as well as its fillers, the shape and size of the fillers, and the effect of the length-to-diameter ratio of a reinforcing fiber fiber on the bending strength of a plastic product was studied. 

Conclusion. A method for determining the composition of the fiberglass premix has been created, the influence of the percentage ratio of the components, the size and shape of fillers on the strength properties has been determined to check the quality of the input raw material and predict the properties of products from it. 

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