MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF GLASS-VINYLESTER COMPOSITES - INTERPHASE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

This study investigates the effect of the structure and properties of the matrix in the vicinity of the reinforcement material on the perfor mance of glass fibre vinylester composites. The existence of an import ant transition area in glass plate - matrix model system is first evid enced. Glass fibre - vinylester composites are then studied and the me chanical properties of the interface are determined by means of a pull -out test on model composites and measurements of interlaminar shear s trength (ILSS) on unidirectional composites. Results show that microdr oplet technique is a good mechanical test which is able to reveal the influence of glass fibre treatment.