Estimation of the hybrid polymer network based of Resole and Polysulfide Reinforced with Fiber Glass Mechanical Properties for Enhancing Structural Performance

The advanced composite materials development for automotive clutch systems intentions to enhance performance, durability, and thermal stability while reducing weight and noise. Achieving this, hybrid composite materials offer an effective balance between mechanical strength and frictional efficiency. Polysulfide is the most used polymer for it’s easy to blend apply to surfaces, good corrosion and wear resistance making it a good choice for clutch system. Polysulfide high ductility led to the need to be blended with other polymer and reinforcing it with fiber to increase strength. In this research, a polymer composite material was prepared from two polymers (Polysulfide resin- Resole resin) and reinforced by fiber glass, where was weight ratio for epoxy (50 wt %) and for resole was (30 wt %) and the type of the fiber glass used was plain woven (EGlass) fibers at angle direction (0˚/45˚) with volumetric fraction (20%) where a hand lay-up method was used for prepare. Mechanical properties (Tensile strength, Impact strength and Flexural strength) were evaluated for the blend (Polysulfide and Resole) only and for a polymer composite material reinforced by fiber glass to study the mechanical properties of the composite and its performance when clutch system is manufactured. Experimental results showed that 74%, 745%, 191% enhancement in tensile strength, impact strength and flexural strength of the composite compared with the blend. These results showed that this composite is a good choice for clutch system manufacturing.