Mechanical behavior of glass polymer multilayer composites

To identify the best reinforcement condition for development of tough glass polymer multi-layer composites (GPMLC) with high failure strain, two such model composite structures were developed. Soda–lime–silica glasses of two different thicknesses viz (A—1.01 mm and B—1.17 mm) were used as the matrix layers. The A-glass and B-glass based GPMLC samples were prepared by a novel, low pressure lamination technique applied to the alternating planar structure of the matrix and reinforcing phases. These GPMLC materials were fabricated with and without a thin sprayed layer of kerosene, between the glass layer and the reinforcing layer in the interface where; the interface was either epoxy (a thermosetting resin) or polyvinyl butyral (PVB, a thermoplastic resin). The GPMLC samples which exhibited stepped load—displacement behaviour in the most pronounced fashion, had the thermoplastic resin at the interface. Most of these GPMLC samples had a thin layer of kerosene intentionally introduced between the glass layer and the reinforcing polymer layer such that a weak interface is obtained. Fractographic evidence suggested that more of controlled delaminaton cracking occurs in such samples. Apart from the chemical nature of the reinforcing polymer phase, the interfacial layer thickness (h _i ) and the interfacial shear stress ( _xy ) were found out to have significant influence on the specific failure load and the failure stress of the current glass polymer multi-layer composites.