Determination of tensile and natural frequencies of particulate filled fiber reinforced polymer composite materials

This study aims to examine the influence of micro particles (borax, sewage sludge ash, silicon carbide and perlite) addition on tensile, damping and vibration response of S-glass/epoxy composite laminates. Tensile strength values have been determined according to ASTM standard. Natural frequency and damping response of particle filled composite laminates have been determined with different weight fractions between particles and epoxy resin with hardener. Micro-scale particles have been used as replacement material with epoxy resin and their particle contents except perlite were 0 (plain), 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt % while perlite particle contents were 1, 3, 5 and 10 wt %, respectively. Vibration properties of samples have been experimentally measured by using dynamic modal analysis procedures. For damping responses, half power band-width method has been employed with first mode of natural frequency. The results indicated that the replacement of borax, sewage sludge and silicon carbide as particles with epoxy resin by 10 wt % and 1 wt % of particle loading significantly increased the tensile while damping ratio showed the highest value with 5 wt % particle loading of all type fillers except sewage sludge ash that at 10 wt % recorded maximum damping ratio. Further increase in particle content caused a reduction in tensile strength and vibration values. Keywords: Glass Fibers, Particle filled composites, Tensile Strength, Vibration