Research on the Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites

The curing curve of epoxy resin was determined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to investigate the preparation method of the epoxy resin. A comprehensive experimental study was conducted on the mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites with glass fiber content ranging from 40% to 50% using a universal testing machine and a pendulum impact tester. The stress-strain curves of the materials at different glass fiber contents were obtained, revealing the influence of glass fiber content on tensile strength, compressive strength, and impact strength of the materials. By analyzing the fracture morphology of the specimens, the fracture mechanisms were revealed. The results showed that the glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties, and increasing the glass fiber content significantly improved the mechanical performance of the composites. Analysis of the specimen surfaces indicated that tensile failure was primarily due to shear fracture and delamination damage at the glass fiber-epoxy resin interface. Cracks appeared on the surface of the compressed composites, with damage in the form of delamination and resin cracking. During impact failure, fiber fracture and interlayer separation of glass fibers were observed on the impact surface, while delamination damage occurred on the impact backside of the glass fibers.