Volume 47, No 4, 2025, Pages 649-662
Download full text in PDFEnhancing Engineering Applications with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Comprehensive Assessment of Manufacturing Techniques and Performance Properties
Authors:
Pratibha M. Karandikar 
,
Nilesh C. Ghuge ,
Laxman B. Abhang 
DOI: 10.24874/ti.1920.03.25.07
Received: 16 March 2025
Revised: 17 May 2025
Accepted: 21 July 2025
Published: 15 December 2025
Abstract:
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites have gained widespread attention due to their superior mechanical and tribological properties, making them highly suitable for engineering applications such as bearings, gears, brakes, and seals. The primary objective of this research is to assess and compare the performance of GFRP composites fabricated using different reinforcement materials and manufacturing techniques. This study employs a comprehensive methodology combining experimental analysis and literature review to evaluate the mechanical strength, wear behavior, and surface characteristics of GFRP composites under various conditions. Key manufacturing processes such as hand lay-up, resin transfer molding, compression molding, injection molding, filament winding, and pultrusion are reviewed and compared in terms of performance output and feasibility. The findings reveal that increasing the glass fiber content significantly enhances mechanical strength, thermal stability, and wear resistance. Moreover, composites fabricated through precision-controlled techniques like resin transfer molding and injection molding exhibit improved surface finish and dimensional accuracy. The study concludes that the choice of manufacturing technique and material composition plays a critical role in optimizing composite performance. These insights provide a valuable foundation for selecting suitable composites in high-performance industrial applications and suggest future directions for enhancing material-environment compatibility.
Keywords:
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites, Engineering applications, Mechanical properties, Manufacturing methods, Tribological properties, Reinforcement techniques
