Production and characterization of a hybrid polymer matrix composite

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop low cost hybrid composites with enhanced mechanical properties by the addition of industrial wall tile and glass fiber wastes into epoxy resin. This process not only reduces the production cost, but also helps to eliminate solid wastes. The detailed characterization of waste particulate fillers was performed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, laser diffraction, and He gas picnometer techniques. The effects of the ceramic particulates to glass fiber ratio and the particle size of the waste materials on the physical and mechanical properties were determined with a fixed polymer to filler ratio of 40:60. The density, three point bending strength, impact resistance and hardness of the hybrid composites were measured. The results indicated that when the filler particle size increased, the bulk density almost remained unchanged, and the bending strength and impact resistance decreased, while the hardness and flexural modulus were almost constant. Because of the weak matrix-reinforcement interphase, mechanical properties deteriorated with the increasing amount of waste glass fiber and better mechanical properties were achieved with the use of finer particles. As a result of incorporation of industrial wastes such as ground ceramic wall tile and glass fiber instead of expensive fillers, low cost reinforcement of the hybrid epoxy matrix composites was achieved. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4080-4093, 2018. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers