Design, pultrusion manufacturing, characterization, and reliability testing of a novel PMMA-based glass FRP composite material

Abstract

Thermosetting resins have a limited ability to absorb impacting energy and deform in the transversal direction. Thermoplastics, on the other hand, are reformable meaning their shape can be modified after the polymerization process has occurred. However, they are generally more viscous, making them non-ideal candidates in impregnation-based pultrusion manufacturing. This paper presents the experimental design, manufacturing, microstructural characteristics, and mechano-environmental testing results of pultruded Ø9.3 mm poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) thermoplastic GFRP rebars. The mechanical and environmental testing, performed via heat/UV/water exposure, cold environment, and corrosion followed by a series of 3-point flexural bending tests, revealed no statistical difference in the means of the flexural strengths between the thermoset- and thermoplastic-based GFRPs.

Keywords

• PMMA
• Glass FRP composites
• Pultrusion
• Flexural strength
• Corrosion