A Study of Bending Properties of Unsaturated Polyester/Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites

In this study two commercial types of reinforced glass fibers were studied: chopped and 0/90 fiber glass composted with unsaturated polyester resin. The composites were prepared by hand lay-up method in three layers. The flexure properties were studied by using three-point bending test. The results showed that pure unsaturated polyester UPE is fractured when it reach the maximum point. Different behavior was shown for the fiber/polyester composite depending on the type of the fiber. The damage causes by the applied stress was appeared by photographs. In all samples the matrix cracking occur in the lower face of the specimen followed by fiber fracture due to the bending stress.