Experimental Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Polytetrafluoroethylene Composites

Abstract

In view of their high specific strength-to-weight ratio, fibre reinforced polymer composites have become substitutes for metals and their alloys for lightweight applications. The main key of this experimental analysis is to study the mechanical properties of reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites with inclusion of 25 wt. % carbon, 40 wt. % bronze and glass 25 wt. % fibres. The composites were prepared through compression moulding process. The Mechanical tests were conducted according to ASTM standards. The experimental analysis results revealed that addition of fibres into PTFE increased hardness of PTFE from 50 HRB to 62, 65 and 67 HRB for 25 wt. % glass, 25 wt. % carbon and 40 wt. % bronze fibres reinforced composites, respectively. Flexural strength of PTFE was also found to increase from 8.21 MPa to 20.50, 23.10 and 27.20 MPa, for 25 wt. % glass, 40 wt. % bronze and 25 wt. % carbon PTFE based composites, respectively. However, tensile strength decreased due to addition of fibres with 25 wt. % carbon fibre reinforced composite exhibiting the lowest tensile strength of 16.46 MPa when compared to the maximum tensile strength of PTFE (24.35 MPa)