Impact and notched strength of multiaxially reinforced out of die UV cured pultruded profiles

Abstract

The present paper highlights the benefits of multiaxially reinforced profiles manufactured by out of die ultraviolet (UV) cured pultrusion. Thanks to the low pulling forces inherent to this technology, we could manufacture a quasi-isotropic laminate with high fiber content (62% in volume). Even if just one fifth of the reinforcement was arranged longitudinally, the fiber orientation at the ±45° and 90° layers was not distorted. The in-plane properties of this new balanced reinforcement configuration improved the impact and notched resistance compared to a reference configuration typical of conventional pultrusion, consisting of roving and continuous strand mats. Additionally, the tensile strength achieved in the transversal direction for the new configuration was an order of magnitude higher. Therefore, this novel technology has the potential to broaden the applications targeted by pultrusion to those where multiaxial load cases could be encountered.