Investigation of fracture behavior of particulate polymer composites with effect of S-glass fiber reinforcement

The objectives of this study are to achieve improvement in the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of the polymer composite by including waste and cheap additives within the polymer matrix. This study is divided into two stages:Firstly, the experiments of tensile, flexural and mixed mode I/III fracture toughness of particulate polyester composites were conducted. Sewage sludge ash, fly ash, silicon carbide and nano-silica particles were used as toughening fillers in resin with four particle contents. The SEM micrographs showed good indication for particles dispersion within the polyester matrix. The single edge notch bending (SENB) beams were tested with crack inclination angles of 30°, 45°, 75° and 90°. The tensile, flexural and fracture toughness of mode I (KIc and GIc) and mode III (KIIIc and GIIIc) values were changed and improved after inclusion of micro- and nano-particles. In the second stage, the experiments of mode I and mode II interlaminar toughness, tensile and flexural of particulate filled glass fabric/epoxy (GFRE) composites were carried out to determine the influence of toughening by rigid inorganic particles. The double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notched flexure (ENF) tests were selected as the mode I and II delamination tests. The addition of borax, sewage sludge ash, silicon carbide and perlite particles in GFRE composite were significantly improved the mechanical and fracture toughness properties. The reasons for modes I & II interlaminar toughness enhancement were explained based on optical and scanning electron microscope images.