Effect of Resin and Composite Material on Overall Strength

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the most efficient combination of resin and composite material to construct the hull of a boat.  Fiberglass and Kyntex Biaxial were used as the composite material while epoxy and vinyl-ester were used as the resins, both typically used on boats. To determine the most effective combination, two pieces of composite material were layered with resin in between.  Resin was again used to attach the layered composite to a piece of balsa wood. After the sample dried, it was placed in the Buster force contraption to measure the displacement when a constant force is exerted on the sample.

            An ANOVA test of the data was performed, and it was found that the means of the four separate combinations were not all the same.  Therefore, the maximum displacements for each of the six combinations are not the same.  Six, two sample t-tests were performed to determine the difference of maximum displacement between the individual groups.  It was found that the trials with the combination of Kyntex Biaxial and epoxy had the least displacement, while the fiberglass and vinyl-ester combination had greatest displacement, although both fiberglass combinations were similar. These results provide evidence that it would be beneficial to use a Kyntex Biaxial and epoxy combination when designing a hull of a boat.

Research Done By:

Megan Dunklin
Sterling Heights High School

Tara Lynn O'Gara
Sterling Heights High School

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