Investigation of mechanical properties in variable oriented glass fiber reinforced insulators

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of fiber orientation on the mechanical performance of composite insulators produced by the hand lay-up method. E-glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated using three types of glass fiber fabrics: unidirectional (L300), ±90° biaxial (LT600), and ±45° biaxial (X600). Additionally, silica sand-filled epoxy insulators were also evaluated—both factory-produced and commercially sourced—to benchmark performance differences with glass fiber-reinforced counterparts. The primary objective is to assess how varying fiber alignment and material configurations affect mechanical properties, particularly under tensile loading. Specimens were prepared in four distinct orientation configurations and subjected to tensile testing. The results demonstrated significant variations in tensile strength, highlighting that even minor differences in fiber orientation can substantially alter mechanical behavior. Failure mode analysis further emphasized the critical role of fiber orientation in load distribution and structural integrity. Overall, this study provides insights into enhancing the mechanical reliability of composite insulators by optimizing fiber placement and evaluating alternative filler systems such as silica sand.