FREE VIBRATION AND DAMPING BEHAVIOR OF GLASS FIBER

REINFORCED POLYESTER COMPOSITE BEAMS

T. P. Sathishkumar, S. Satheeshkumar, J. Naveen
Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Kongu Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu, INDIA.
*
Corresponding Author Email Id: tpsathish@kongu.ac.in

Abstract
This work reported the results of experimental investigation carried out on free
vibration characteristics of random and woven glass fiber polyester composites. Influence
of fiber length and weight percentage on mechanical properties and free vibration
characteristics are analyzed. Composite beam specimen is fabricated with random and
woven mat fiber orientations at17 MPa compression using compression molding
machine. Natural frequencies and associated modal damping values of the composite
laminates were obtained by carrying out the experimental modal analysis. It is found that
an increase in fiber content increases the mechanical and damping properties. For 40 wt%
fiber content yielded better properties. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to
study the interfacial mechanism.

Introduction
Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites have been high specific
strength and anti-corrosive properties were used in many light weight and marine
applications than conventional materials [24]. The composite materials performances are
usually depend on their mechanical characteristics such as tensile, compression, flexural,
and impact properties. The mechanical properties of materials are closely related with
dynamic characteristics [101]. Vibration control of composite structures was more
important subject in many engineering applications because little excitation may lead to
large amplitude of vibration, specifically for the precise operation performances in
satellites, aerospace systems, composite manipulators, etc. [25]. The damping
performance of composite structure was more important parameter and it’s subjected to
dynamic loading and vibration during their working [24]. The damping varies from
different environmental conditions such as temperature, frequency, amplitude of stress
and static preload. If the dynamic stability and positioning accuracy are essential to
design the polymer matrix composites, their damping properties were essential to
investigate under various environmental conditions [28]. Different theoretical and
experimental methods had been available to find the damping of the composites. Many
researchers have been successfully determined the damping behavior of unidirectional
and multidirectional polymer composites [24]. Energy dissipation of composites was
important factor when they were subjected to vibration. Fiber orientation, fiber volume,
matrix material, moisture and temperature are causes of energy dissipation of FRP
composites. Most of the research is done on moisture or temperature effects on damping
[24]. The vibrational behaviour has been found using various experimental, numerical
and analytical methods [26].
Erden et al [2] investigated vibrational properties of glass/polyester composites
via matrix modification technique. To achieve this, unsaturated polyester was modified
by incorporation of oligomeric siloxane in the concentration range of 1-3 wt%. Modified
matrix composites reinforced with woven roving glass fabric were compared with
untreated glass/polyester in terms of mechanical and interlaminar properties by
conducting tensile, flexure, and short-beam shear tests. Furthermore, vibrational
properties of the composites was investigated while incorporating oligomeric siloxane.
From the experiment it was found that the natural frequencies of the composites were
found to increase with increasing siloxane concentration. Sridhar et al [24] investigated
the damping behavior of woven fabric glass fiber reinforced polymer composites under
saline water treatment with various fiber volumes like 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 and various
time period using the logarithmic decrement method. The damping factor value of
untreated specimen damping and stiffness increased with increase in fiber volume
percentage. Maximum decrease in the damping values was observed for 40% fiber
volume specimen. Yuvaraja et al [25] investigated the Vibration Characteristics of a
Flexible Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite with shape memory alloy and
piezoelectric actuators. In first case, the smart beam consists of a Glass fibre reinforced
polymer (GFRP) beam modelled in cantilevered configuration with externally attached
SMAs. In second case, the smart beam consists of a GFRP beam with surface bonded
PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) patches. To study the behaviour of the smart beam a
mathematical model is developed. Using ANSYS the vibration suppression of smart
beam was investigated .The experimental work is carried out for both cases in order to
evaluate the vibration control of flexible beam for first mode, also to find the
effectiveness of the proposed actuators. As a result the vibrational characteristic, GFRP
beam is more effective when SMA is used as an actuator. SMA actuator was more
efficient than the PZT actuator because very less voltage required for actuation of SMA.
Bledzki et al [26] investigated the elastic constants of unidirectional E-glass reinforced
epoxy matrix composite by the vibration testing of plates with two different Fibers -
surface treatments. The first type was treated by epoxy dispersion with aminosilane to
promote fiber/matrix adhesion and the second type was sized with polyethylene to
prevent fiber/matrix adhesion. Elastic properties were good for epoxy dispersion with
aminosilane composite and poor for polyethylene composites. Mishra investigated [27]
the vibration analysis of unidirectional glass fiber reinforced resol/vac-eha composites
with varying volume fraction of glass fibers. Resol solution was blended with vinyl
acetate-2-ethylhexyl acrylate (vac-eha) resin in an aqueous medium. The role of
fiber/matrix interactions in glass fibers reinforced composites were investigated to predict
the stiffness and damping properties. Damping properties decreases after blending VAC-
EHA copolymer content with Resol . While increasing the glass fiber content in
composite plate increases the damping properties. Due to incorporation of glass fibers in
matrix, tensile properties, stiffness and damping properties increases. Mehmet Colakoglu
et al [28] investigated the Damping and vibration Analysis of Polyethylene Fiber
Composite under various temperatures ranging from 10◦ C to 60◦C. A damping
monitoring method is used to experimentally measure frequency response and the
frequency is obtained numerically using a finite element program. The damping
properties, in terms of the damping factor, are determined by the half-power bandwidth
technique. The experimental results reported that the natural frequency and elastic
modulus decreased with increase in temperature. Naghipour et al [29] investigated the
Vibration Damping of Glued laminated beams reinforced with various lay ups of E-glass
fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites by using different methods such as, Hilbert
transform, logarithmic decrement, moving block, and half band power methods. Half
band power method improves the accuracy when considering the vibration damping of
composite materials possessing relatively high level of damping. Furthermore, their
experimental results indicated that the addition of GRP-reinforcement in the bottom
surface of cantilever beams could significantly improve their stiffness and strength
characteristics.
Experimental details
Materials
Two different types of E-Glass fiber was obtained such as randomly oriented and
woven strand mats, Polyester resin, Catalyst (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide),
Accelerator (Cobalt Naphthalene), Releasing agent (Poly Vinyl Acrylate) and Wax (for
pre-coating in die) were prepared through the covai seenu and company(P) Ltd., Kovai,
Tamilnadu, India.

Table shows the properties of E-glass fibers and Polyester matrix [3].
Table Mechanical properties of glass fiber and polyester matrix [3]
Material Density Modulus of Strength Poisson’s
g/cm3 elastic (GPa) (MPa) ratio
E-glass 2.54 72.4 3450 0.2
polyester 1.1-1.4 2.1-3.4 34.5-103 0.37-0.4

Fabrication of composites
The hand lay-up technique was used for the preparation of the composites. The
glass fiber mats were cut into according to shape and size of the composite mould. The
composite was produced by compression molding in a metal die of 300 × 300 × 3mm.
The inner surface of the mould was coated with thin layer of wax as a releasing agent.
The polyester resin was mixed with 1% of accelerator as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide
and catalyst as cobalt. The mixture poured into mould slowly, and then the glass fiber
mats placed into the mould. Fibers were assured for complete impregnation in the resin
using washer rollers. Samples were then cured at room temperature for two days. The
various volume percentages of fibers were produced such as 10, 20, 30 and 40 % [10].

Modal analysis
Modal analysis was the technique used to learn the dynamic characteristics of a
mechanical structure. Moreover, this technique has been described the structure in terms
of its natural characteristics which are the natural frequency, damping and mode shapes.
There are two different testing methods for performing modal analysis such as impact test
and vibration shaker. According to the theoretical standpoint, the measured frequency
response functions (FRF) may be attained with both, but there are usually differences due
to practical aspects related to data collection.
In this study, impact hammer test method was used perform the modal analysis.
The experimental setup line diagram as shown in Fig. 1a and b is comprised of impact
hammer with a sharp hardened tip (Kistler model 9722A500), and accelerometer was
attached to the end of the rectangular composite specimen (dimensions: 200 × 20 × 3mm)
with wax. This system has been used for obtaining higher frequencies and the hitting with
the impulse hammer occurred at three equally spaced places of the laminate specimen
(refer to Fig ). The displacement signal from the accelerometer had recorded in a PC
using data acquisition system (DAS), (DEWE43, Dewteron Corp., Austria) and ICP
conditioner (MSIBRACC). Two separate adaptors have been used for capturing the
output signal, one for the accelerometer signal and another for hammer response after
impact with the laminate specimen.

Damping factor
Damping was essential to the study of the dynamic characteristics of fiber
reinforced composites. Damping mechanisms in glass fiber composites entirely different
from conventional materials and energy dissipation was depends upon the factors such as
viscoelastic nature of fiber and matrix, interphase, damage and visco plastic
characteristics.
The half-power band width method has been employed to determine the damping
coefficient values of glass fiber reinforced composites through FRF curves obtained from
the FFT analyzer. The damping values have been calculated based on Equation

ζ = Δω/2ωn

where ζ – Damping coefficient, Δω – bandwidth, and ωn – natural

frequency.

Results and discussion

The natural frequency of the fiber reinforced composites depends on many factors
like fiber length, orientation and fiber/matrix interface. Accordingly it was complex task
to determine the natural frequency for fiber reinforced composites. The first three modes
of fundamental natural frequencies of glass fiber reinforced composite specimen were
studied.
The cantilever composite specimen was applied with a constant force to one
corner of the specimen with the help of a piezoelectric impact hammer. Force has been
applied at five different places and it causes the same static deformation in the specimen
plate and which was confirmed by the same force peak value although the oscillation rate
of the force changed.
The response of the composite specimen plate was measured during that
excitation with an accelerometer attached to one edge of the plate. The experimental
modal analysis was most important measurement for frequency response function, i.e. the
ratio between output response and input excitation force.
In this measurement was usually obtained using dedicated instrument like FFT
(Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer. The measured time data was transformed from the
time domain frequency to the frequency domain, which was named the frequency
response function, using a Fast Fourier transform algorithm obtained in signal processing
analyzer and computer software.
The peaks in this FRF function were occurred at the resonant frequencies of the system.
These peaks are occurred at frequencies where the time response was observed to
produce maximum response consistent to the rate of oscillation of the input excitation.
 The first three modes of deformation pattern in the structure are named such as
(Mode 1) bending, (Mode 2) twisting and (Mode 3) second bending, this also called as
mode shapes of the structure.

The first three modes of natural frequencies of glass/polyester composites (3 mm

fiber length, 30 wt%) are 26.0 Hz, 177.6 Hz and 492.4 Hz, and 27.6 Hz, 186.3 Hz and
537.3 Hz, respectively. Fig. 7(a–c) shows the first mode of natural frequency of sisal and
banana polyester composites for different fiber
wt% and length. For the 3 mm fiber length/30 wt% (Fig 7a), a notable difference in
natural frequency is observed between BPFC and SFPC, suggesting that the particular
fiber surface and its compatibility with polyester can cause dissimilar fiber/matrix
interface. Whereas, for higher fiber wt%, the natural frequency of both composites merge
together. Perhaps the shorter fiber length can increase the surface to contact area between
fiber and matrix as well as fiber/matrix interface, offering better stiffness to both
composites. For BFPC, an increase in natural frequency with fiber content is noted for all
fiber lengths, following a more linear fashion than SFPC, which may be related to higher
fiber content.
The maximum natural frequency was noticed for 4 mm fiber length/50 wt% for
banana/polyester composites. Indeed, the increase in stiffness of the composites impacts
its natural frequency. It had been previously seen in Fig. 6, that flexural modulus of
banana fiber composites increased with fiber content. However, variation in fiber length
did not significantly influence the natural frequency of the composites.
On the other hand, for SFPC, only 30 wt% and 50 wt% fiber content increased the natural
frequency for all fiber lengths. In the 40 wt% case, a decrease in natural frequency
occurred for all fiber lengths. For low fiber content (30 wt%), an increase in natural
frequency was observed for SFPCs compared to BFPCs for all fiber lengths, suggesting
that apart from the fiber/matrix interface, fiber rigidity also plays an important role
indetermining natural frequency of the composite, and the more rigid fiber (i.e. sisal –
see Table 1) lead to higher natural frequency.
Further, it is observed for SFPCs from Fig. 7(a–c) that, for 40 wt% fiber content, the
natural frequency reduces with length. It could be due to more extensive agglomeration
that causes weak fiber– matrix interface, decreasing Young’s modulus and also natural
frequency. Table 3 shows the measured natural frequency of the various composites
(Modes 2, 3) and it can be seen that the higher natural frequency for sisal is found for 5
mm, 50 wt% in all three modes of vibration. The natural frequency of the first three
modes for sisal/polyester composites (5 mm/50 wt%) are 31.7 Hz, 209.8 Hz and 591.4
Hz.

Damping factor of composites

The indicated portion of the sub-graph shown in Fig. 8 is used for calculating the
damping values using the half-power band width method [22]. This figure shows how the
half power points are obtained, i.e. by finding the intersections of line from the given
Frequency response function (FRF) curve. Qmax is the maximum amplitude obtained
from the resonant peak of the curve, Dx is the difference between the frequency values of
band width which is cut by the horizontal line taken Qmax/p2 value below the amplitude
of peak value. The half power points are used to determine the damping ratio (Dx = x1 _
x2) [34].
Fig. 9(a–c) shows the first mode of damping of the various sisal and banana polyester
composites. For a constant fiber length, two kinds of damping trends were observed with
the increase in content of banana and sisal fiber, for the former damping decreased and
for the latter, it increased. In general, higher resin content should lead to higher damping
due to its viscoelastic nature [35]. This coincides with the trend obtained from the
BFPCs, however, it was the opposite for SFPC. From Fig 9(b and c), it can be inferred
that apart from the fiber content, the interface thickness and interface stiffness also play
an important role in the damping mechanism [35]. For the same fiber content (30 wt%),
the banana fiber reinforced composite shows higher damping than sisal in all fiber
lengths. Owing to the smaller diameter of banana fiber (from 100 to 300 lm[36,22]), a
thicker interface could appear, causing higher damping than sisal, as reported by Bledzki
et al. [37]. The greater surface contact area of the sisal fiber due to its lower aspect ratio
can create a stronger interface and make the composites stiffer.
At 40 wt%fiber content, damping value has decreased for banana fiber composites except
for 4 mm. This may have happened due to a weak interphase for4mmwith40
wt%ofbananafiber reinforcedcomposites, which was confirmed from their modulus (4
mm, 40 wt%) shown in Fig. 9. But, for 5 mm, 40 wt% of banana fiber composites,
damping value abruptly decreases in relation to sisal fiber composites. While the fiber
content increased from 40 to 50 wt% of BFPCs, damping value decreased linearly, except
for 5 mm. Conversely, in the case of SFPCs, the damping value increased linearly, except
for 5 mm.
Table. 4 shows the calculated damping of the various composites (Modes 2, 3) and it can
be seen that a similar trend of damping value of mode 1 was observed in mode 2 and 3.

From Figs. 9(a–c), it is clearly noted a transition of damping at 40 wt% of fiber content in
both banana and sisal fiber reinforced composites. In the case of banana, the 40 wt%
provides better damping with 4 mm fiber length, whereas for sisal, higher damping was
observed for 40 wt% of fiber content with 5 mm fiber length, perhaps due to the
difference in inherent surface fiber morphology.

Conclusions
Based on the above experiments following conclusions were
made:
 The random and woven mat glass fiber reinforced polyester composites were
fabricated using compression molding process for varying fiber length and
content.
 Experimental investigations reported that the dispersion capability of SFPC
offers better interfacial bonding and exhibits good mechanical strength and free
vibration properties.
 The higher fiber content (50 wt%) offers the significant improvement on
mechanical strength as well as free vibration properties compared to fiber length
for both the composites. It could be due to the variation of interlaminar shear at
fiber ends.
 The optimum fiber length and content of BFPC was observed as 4 mm/50 wt%
and for SFPC it was 3 mm/ 50 wt%.
 The maximum increase in natural frequency was found in 4 mm/50 wt% of
BFPC and for SFPC at 5 mm/50 wt% in all the three modes of vibration. In
addition, 4 mm/50 wt% of BFPC and 3 mm/50 wt% of SFPC offered higher
damping and it could be due to the inherent porous cross section of natural fibers.