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Void Fraction

1. This experiment aims to determine the fiber and void fraction of a glass fiber reinforced composite specimen through a burnout test. 2. The burnout test involves measuring the mass and dimensions of a composite coupon, then burning it at 800°C to remove the resin matrix and leave just the glass fibers. 3. Equations relating the volumes and masses of the fiber, resin, voids, and total coupon are used to calculate the fiber and void fractions from the measurements of the coupon before and after burning.

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189 views4 pages

Void Fraction

1. This experiment aims to determine the fiber and void fraction of a glass fiber reinforced composite specimen through a burnout test. 2. The burnout test involves measuring the mass and dimensions of a composite coupon, then burning it at 800°C to remove the resin matrix and leave just the glass fibers. 3. Equations relating the volumes and masses of the fiber, resin, voids, and total coupon are used to calculate the fiber and void fractions from the measurements of the coupon before and after burning.

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auro auro
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EXPERIMENT NO.

11

OBJECTIVE: TO DETERMINE FIBER AND VOID FRACTION OF A GLASS FIBER


REINFORCED COMPOSITE SPECIMEN.

Note: You would need refractory furnace operating at 800 0C in this experiment. Switch on the
furnace keeping temperature setting at 800 0C before beginning to read this write up. It may take
an hour before the furnace is ready to use.

Introduction : Fiber reinforced composites are a new class of engineering materials which offer
high specific strength, corrosion resistance and flexibility of design strength, corrosion resistance
and flexibility of design. They are made by mixing glass fiber strands with rosins and molding
the mixture to shape the composite. Molding is carried out under appropriate temperature and
pressure condition to effect proper curing. The fiber volume fraction plays a major role in
determining the engineering properties of fiber reinforced composites. Therefore it is important
to know the fiber fraction of a composite to characterize it. Some voids (unfilled spaces) in small
amounts inevitably remain in a composite. The voids tell on the mechanical and electrical
properties of a composite specimen.

One can relate volumes of fiber (Vf), resin or matrix (Vm) and voids (Vv) as:

Vf + Vm+ Vv = VT (1)

VT: total volume of the composite piece.

Also,

VT = l X b X h (2)

Where,
l, b and h is the dimension of the specimen.

We know,
WT = Wf + Wm (3)

Wf ,Wm and WT denote mass of fiber, mass of matrix and the total mass of composite specimen
respectively.

After burning at 800 ◦C


WB = Wf (4)
WB : weight of the specimen after burn.

So,
Wm = WT – WB (5)
The volume of the matrix and the fiber can calculate from:

Where:
M and F are the density of matrix and the density of the fiber respectively.

Densities of constituents are assumed to be known (As provided by manufacturers: f = 2.54


g/cc, m = 1.12 g/cc )

So the volume of the voids can be calculated from this equation:

Vv = VT – (Vf +Vm)

Void Fraction = (Vv/VT)

Fiber Fraction = (Vf/VT)

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
Fiber and void fraction is determined most commonly by a burn out test:

1. In this a small specimen of composite known as (coupon) is cut and weighed.

2. Then its volume is determined by measuring its sides andthickness with an accurate
Vernier.

3. The specimen is then put in furnace (at about 800 0C) to combust and evaporate the
organic resin matrix leaving only the glass fiber component in it unaffected.

4. Weighing the fiber provides an estimate of mass of resin evaporated.

5. Equations (1) - (6) can now be employed to determine void and fiber fraction.

Note: The measurements of mass and volume are conceptually simple. However, the key to
accurate and reliable determination of Vv and Vf is correspondingly accurate
measurements of Vc, Wc, Wf .

The coupon usually weighs around one gram and has volume of less than 1ml. Fiber
mass in the coupon is quite clearly less than a gram. The mass of coupon and fibre
remaining after burn out should be measured using electrically operated alalytic balance
with the least count of 0.1 mg. Dimensions of coupon should be measured with
micrometer and venier with a least count of atleast 0.002 mm. A number of
measurements should be taken for thickness and each side of the coupon and average
taken to improve the accuracy of coupon volume. Show these observations and
calculation leading to the determination of Vv and Vf.
Conclude your report by answering the following questions:

1. Estimate the percentage accuracy in the measurement of thickness and volume of coupon,
mass of coupon and mass of fiber. Combine these to determine the uncertainty in
determination of Vv and Vf.

2. Can you suggest a substantially more accurate and sophisticated method of the
determination of coupon thickness.

3. Suggest how the method can be modified to determine Vv and Vf through the
measurement of density of coupon instead of measuring coupon volume.

4. Read reference material and write an outline of an alternative method to determine the
fiber and void fractions.

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