Effect of potassium titanate whiskers on the performance of vacuum molded glass/epoxy composites

Abstract

Effect of potassium titanate whiskers on the mechanical and tribological properties of glass/epoxy composite systems has been investigated experimentally. Composite laminates were prepared by hand lay-up technique followed by vacuum bagging by varying the percentage of potassium titanate whiskers addition. Mechanical properties of the developed composites were evaluated as per ASTM standards. Tribological tests were conducted under dry sliding conditions on a pin on disc test rig. The tests results indicated that addition of the potassium titanate whiskers has significant effect on the properties of glass/epoxy composites. Density, hardness, stiffness properties, friction coefficient and wear resistance of the composites were found to improve with the potassium titanate whiskers loading. However, strength properties of the glass epoxy composites were found to reduce with whisker content. The mode of failure after the tensile tests and worn surface of some selected samples were studied using scanning electron microscope.