Research on Properties of Glass Fiber/Polyester Composites after Ultraviolet Radiation

Glass fabrics and unsaturated polyester resin were selected to fabricate 2, 3 and 5-layer laminates. After ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 20-200 hours, laminates were subjected to tensile strength testing. For the 2-layer laminates, after 170-hour UV lamp radiation, the tensile strength reduction of the materials became significant. Distinctive degradation was noticed after 200-hour UV irradiation for the 3-layer specimens. No evident strength reduction was discovered for the 5-layer samples after 200-hour treatment. It is concluded that UV radiation time has no significant influence on the material as far as tensile strength is concerned. Examinations of the fracture surface of the specimen under SEM revealed the deteriorated matrix after extended UV radiation.