The Effect of Temperature on Puncture Resistance of Glass Cloth Reinforced Polyester Composites

Abstract

Reinforced polyester composites are widely used in many applications where puncture resistance is important. This research is aimed at understanding whether exposure to different temperatures, high and very low, affects the puncture resistance of a glass cloth reinforced polyester composite and the unreinforced polyester matrix. The temperature range investigated was +80 °C to −80 °C. A hemispherical drop-weight impactor was used for the puncture tests in an environmentally controlled chamber. The reinforced composite specimens are more puncture-resistant compared with the unreinforced polyester at all temperatures. The damage created by the impact reduces with decreasing temperatures, while the energy absorbed remains constant with temperature.