Manufacturing of hybrid composite profiles by pultrusion method

Composite materials are preferred in many engineering applications due to their high strength, lightness, corrosion resistance, electrical and thermal insulation properties. Pultrusion method is a preferred method for producing of the composite materials with constant cross section by 80 %, due to the advantages and ease of production it provides. Mechanical and physical properties of glass fiber reinforced composite materials are inadequate in some engineering applications. The production of cost-effective composite materials with desirable characteristics can be achieved by hybridization processes. In this study; composite materials which have different glass fiber and carbon fiber roving reinforcement ratio and with different Al2O3 - TiO2 (87/13) particle reinforcement ratio were produced in 13 different types including with polyester and vinylester matrix. Mechanical and physical properties of composite I profiles which are produced by pultrusion method have been experimentally investigated and examined. Glass fiber roving, carbon fiber roving, glass fiber continuous strand mat, carbon fiber hybrid mat and Al2O3 - TiO2 (87/13) powder were used as reinforcement in the production of composite I profiles. IR 355 isophthalic polyester and PV 300 vinylester resin were used as matrix materials. Mechanical properties of composite I profiles produced by pultrusion method were determined by tensile, compression, full-section bending, three-point bending, short beam interlaminar shear, pin bearing, Izod notched impact, V notched shear, Barcol hardness tests and also physical properties were determined by water absorption of plastics, calcination, flammability tests according to relevant ASTM, EN ISO and TS standards. As a result of experimental studies, it has been determined that reinforcement element configuration and orientation, hybridization ratio, particle reinforcement ratio and the type of matrix material which are used in the production of composite I profiles have a significant effect on the mechanical and physical properties of the composite I profile.