EFFECT OF METAL WIRE MESH ON TENSILE, COMPRESSION AND WATER ABSORPTION FOR BLEND POLYMER

This work aims to enhance the polymeric composite properties by adding Iron wire mesh (Fe) and aluminum wire mesh (Al) as reinforcement materials with various ratios. A polymer blend of the [epoxy (EP)+ polyester (UPS)] as matrix material has been utilized. The hand layup approach has been utilized for manufacturing castings. Epoxy and polyester have been mixed with different volume ratios, involving (95:5,90:10, 85:15,80:20, and 75:25 Vol.%) of (epoxy: polyester). The blend was reinforced with metal mesh with volume fractions (5,10,15, and 20%). The results show the best ratios of ultimate tensile strength are (95% epoxy + 5% unsaturated polyester), and tensile strength and young modulus increase with increased volume fraction of metal mesh. The best compressive strength (CS) value was obtained for a sample of (95% epoxy +5% unsaturated polyester). The compressive strength increased with the increased volume fraction of iron mesh but reduced with the used aluminum wire mesh. Also, water absorption increased with increased unsaturated polyester, iron mesh, and aluminum mesh percentage.