THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE OF ALUMINUM-REINFORCED GFRP COMPOSITES

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 02 | Page :
    By

    G Ashwin Prabhu,

  • M Babu,

  • S Prathap Singh,

  • Jagadeesh Bommisetty,

  • Ramya R,

  • Vaddi Seshagiri Rao,

  • Prithvi A,

  • Mohammed Ziberel S,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Vice President, VM Group of Companies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, CVR College of Engineering, Vastu Nagar, Mangalpalli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, S.A. Engineering College, Poonamallee – Avadi Road, Thiruverkadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  6. Professor and Principal, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. UG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  8. UG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This work examines an economical approach to improve the thermal load protection of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites, commonly utilized in aircraft constructions, pressure containers, and electrical insulators. Notwithstanding their superior mechanical capabilities, GFRP composites are susceptible to elevated temperatures and electrical currents, frequently resulting in considerable structural deterioration. The study introduces an innovative method employing aluminum reinforcement to enhance the thermal conductivity and protection of GFRP composite laminates. Test specimens were fabricated via the hand lay-up technique with cross-ply laminates, including seven plies with fiber orientations of 0° and 90°. The specimens underwent arc resistance testing at different current levels (10mA, 20mA, and 40mA) to assess their thermal protection properties. The research evaluated the efficacy of typical GFRP composites in comparison to aluminum-reinforced specimens by examining surface damage area and damage depth. The results indicated that aluminum-reinforced specimens provided much superior thermal protection, with surface damage diminished by roughly 45% under 40mA current exposure. The damage depth in shielded specimens was significantly reduced, measuring 1.4mm, in contrast to 4.3mm in unprotected samples during maximum current exposure. Volume resistivity measurements shown a significant enhancement, declining from 91×10^6 MΩ to 17.5×10^6 MΩ with aluminum shielding. The findings indicate that aluminum reinforcement provides a viable and effective means of improving the thermal load resistance of GFRP composites, potentially prolonging their lifespan in high-temperature applications.

Keywords: GFRP Composites, Thermal Protection, Aluminum Reinforcement, Arc Resistance, Volume Resistivity.

How to cite this article:
G Ashwin Prabhu, M Babu, S Prathap Singh, Jagadeesh Bommisetty, Ramya R, Vaddi Seshagiri Rao, Prithvi A, Mohammed Ziberel S. THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE OF ALUMINUM-REINFORCED GFRP COMPOSITES. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
G Ashwin Prabhu, M Babu, S Prathap Singh, Jagadeesh Bommisetty, Ramya R, Vaddi Seshagiri Rao, Prithvi A, Mohammed Ziberel S. THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE OF ALUMINUM-REINFORCED GFRP COMPOSITES. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=240356


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
02
Received 24/12/2025
Accepted 06/02/2026
Published 20/04/2026
Publication Time 117 Days
2

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