JOURNAL OF POLYTECHNIC-POLITEKNIK DERGISI, vol.27, pp.197-209, 2024 (ESCI)
Composite materials are used successfully in many fields today with the developing technology. Fiber reinforced polymer composites are the most preferred composite materials due to their low cost properties and high strength. Glass fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) composites are a type of composite with polymer matrix and glass fiber reinforcement material that meet the desired mechanical and tribological properties according to their usage areas. GFRP composite materials can contain different types of polyester and shrinkage additives. Environmental conditions affect the wear resistance of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites. In this study, different environmental conditions (UV irradiation, acid environment, salt water environment, accelerated aging, hydrothermal aging and thermal cycling) of glass fiber reinforced polyester composite materials containing two varied types of polyester (orthophthalic and isophthalic) and low profile additive (polystyrene and plasticizer) were investigated and the effects of environmental conditions on the wear behavior of the materials were investigated in samples containing different types of polyester and low profile additives. Considering the effects of environmental conditions on the wear resistance of the GFRP composite samples, it was observed that the wear resistance of the samples exposed to UV irradiation and hydrothermal aging increased in both samples. The use of polystyrene low profile additive in GFRP composite materials increases the wear resistance of the material. GFRP composite samples containing orthophlalic polyester resin have better wear resistance than samples containing isophlalic resin.