Effect of ceramic fillers on mechanical properties of woven jute fabric reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

Effect of silicon carbide and aluminium oxide fillers on tension, flexural, compression, and impact properties of woven jute fabric reinforced epoxy composite has been investigated experimentally. Several laminates were prepared by hand lay-up technique by varying the percentage of filler addition. Tests (except impact) were conducted on computer interfaced universal testing machine as per ASTM standards. Impact tests were conducted on pendulum impact testing machine. The results of the tests indicated that addition of filler has significant effect on these properties. Laminate with 10 wt% of filler (based on resin) exhibited the highest properties. The properties were found to decrease beyond 10 wt% of filler loading. The mode of failure was also studied for selected samples using scanning electron microscope.