The investigation of the effect of particle geometry on the mechanical and physical properties of polymer matrix composite materials filled particle

Polymer matrix composite materials are widely used in many areas such as automotive, aircraft, space, defense, food, textile industry, sporting goods. Fibers such as glass, carbon and aramid are usually used as reinforcing elements to increase the strength values of polymer matrix composite materials. However, due to the low properties of the polymer matrix materials such as flexural strength, stiffness and wear resistance, the polymer materials are modified with different particles. Particle reinforcement significantly affects the physical and mechanical properties of polymer materials. In this study, an experimental study has been carried out to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of glass fibre reinforced epoxy composite filled with different form, size and proportions of Al2O3-TiO2 particles. For the production of composite materials, a commercially available plain-weave woven fabric with areal weight of the fabric is 270 g/m2 was used as reinforcement material and the type of epoxy resin used in the matrix material was Epikote Resin 828. Al2O3-TiO2 particles were used by three different proportions (Al2O3 – wt.3% TiO2, Al2O3 – wt.13%TiO2, Al2O3 – wt.40%TiO2), size and geometry. The weight fractions of the filler in the matrix were 0, 5, 10, and 15%. Composites were fabricated in conventional hand lay-up technique. The physical (thickness, density fiber weight ratio, porosity) and mechanical (tensile, flexural, shear and impact) properties of composites were determined as per ASTM standards. According to the results of the study; it has been found that the particle weight fractions, sizes and geometries of the ceramic powders added into the resin matrix during the production of glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite materials significantly affect the physical and mechanical properties of the composite materials produced.