EFFECTS OF SILICON CARBIDE, MILLSCALE, AND MAGNESIA PARTICULATES ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYBRID UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESIN MATRIX COMPOSITES

EFFECTS OF SILICON CARBIDE, MILLSCALE, AND MAGNESIA PARTICULATES ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYBRID UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESIN MATRIX COMPOSITES

The efficacy of reinforcement of polyester resin matrix composites with hard ceramic particles for optimal performance was studied. 5-25 wt. % of silicon carbide, millscale, and magnesia particles were applied in reinforcing unsaturated polyester resin matrix by mould casting and the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of the composites were evaluated. There was uniform distribution of silicon carbide, millscale, and magnesia particles in the polymer composites matrix from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) result. The highest mechanical properties in terms of ultimate tensile strength (73.75 MPa), flexural strength (74.89 MPa), hardness (98.76 BHN), and impact energy (24.85 J) was exhibited by the hybrid composite at 15 wt. % reinforcement. This shows the efficacy of hybridisation and the high potential of the composite for wider applications.

___

  • 1. Harsha AP. An investigation on low stress abrasive wear characteristics of high performance engineering thermoplastic polymers. Wear, 2011;271(5-6):942-951.
  • 2. Golchin A, Simmons GF, Glavatskih S, and Prakash B. Tribological behaviour of polymeric materials in water lubricated contacts. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J, Journal of Engineering Tribology, 2012;227(8): 811-825.
  • 3. Syed-Azuan SA. Effect of fiber volume fraction on tensile properties of rice husk reinforced polyester composites. Advances in Environmental Biology, 2013; 7(6): 1101-1104.
  • 4. Sangthong S, Pongprayoon T, and Yanumet N. Mechanical property of improvement of unsaturated polyester composite reinforced with admicellar-treated sisal fibers. Elsevier, Composites: Part A, 2009;40:687-694.
  • 5. Agunsoye JO, Talabi SI, Awe O, and Kelechi H. Mechanical properties and tribological behaviour of recycled polyethylene/cow bone particulate composite. Journal of Materials Science Research, 2013; 2(2):41-50.
  • 6. Isiaka O and Adewole TA. Influence of cow bone particle size distribution on the mechanical properties of cow bone reinforced polyester composites. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Biotechnology Research International, 2013;1-5.
  • 7. Dholakiya BZ. Use of non-traditional fillers to reduce flammability of polyester resin composites. Polimeri, 2009;30(1):10-17.
  • 8. Patel NR and Gohil PP. A Review on biomaterials: Scope, applications & human anatomy significance. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 2012;2(4):91- 100.
  • 9. Chokkalingam ME, Vengatesan KJ, and Prasanth T. Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of human hair fiber reinforced epoxy composites. International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering, Science and Sustainable Technology (ICETSST), 2017;52-56.