An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effect of a silicone coating on the mechanical properties of polyester/woven glass fabric composites, fabricated by resin transfer molding. E-glass woven fabrics were coated with a silicone elastomer by solution dip coating. The effect of variation of silicone amounts on the impact resistance, toughness, and mechanical properties of the composite was determined. Short beam shear tests were performed to assess the effect of coating on the adhesion of the fiber to the matrix. The coated specimens exhibited worse interlaminar shear strength over that of uncoated fabrics. Three-point bending tests were also performed to investigate the effect of the coating on flexural properties. Whereas flexural strength and Young's modulus decreased with increasing amount of coating, the toughness, represented by the area under the stress-strain curve, presented a maximum. Finally, notched Izod impact tests were carried out and the curve for the energy absorbed during impact versus the amount of coating also appeared to have a maximum, indicating an interesting slot for optimum impact performance.
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