Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361 www.materialstoday.com/proceedings

ICASE_2017

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced

Epoxy Polymer Composites with Alumina, Titanium dioxide and
Silicon Carbide Fillers
M. D. Kiran a*, H. K.Govindaraju a, T. Jayaraju b
a
BMS Institute of Technology and Management, Bengaluru, India
b
NIE Institute of Technology, Mysuru, India

Abstract

Glass fibre reinforced polymer composites are commonly used composite materials in automotive and aerospace
industries. Addition of small proportions of fillers surprisingly enhanced the mechanical properties of polymer
matrix composites. In the present investigation polymer composites were manufactured by reinforcing silicon
carbide and titanium dioxide as fillers along with glass fibres. Similarly alumina and titanium carbide were
reinforced as fillers along with glass fibres. In both the composites the fillers are varied from zero to six
volumepercent in steps of 2 volume percent. All the tests were conducted according to ASTM test standards. From
the analysis it was found that alumina and silicon carbide fillers reinforced composites exhibited enhanced
mechanical properties.

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility ofInternational Conference on Advances in Science & Engineering ICASE - 2017.

Keywords:Epoxy, Glass fiber, Alumina, Titanium dioxide, Silicon carbide filler, Hand lay-up

1. Introduction

Nowadays fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite materials are commonly used in various applications such
as aerospace, automotive, construction and sporting industries. These composites are used because of high specific

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91-9008000320.

E-mail address: kiranmdg@gmail.com

2214-7853© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility ofInternational Conference on Advances in Science & Engineering ICASE - 2017.
22356 M. D. Kiran et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361

stiffness, specific strength, low thermal expansion, good fatigue resistance, stability for production of complex shape
[1].Composite materials commonly include matrix, such as polymer, fibers and fillers. Among all fibers glass
fiberare the most commonly used fibers in polymer matrix composite, because of its cheaperavailability and good
mechanical properties.
Reinforcing of glass fibers is common in polymer matrix composites and this is used in many engineering
applications. Addition of small amount of foreign particles (clay or silicon) of nano-size improves the mechanical
properties of the composites significantly [2]. Different types of glass fiber are used as reinforcements in polymer
matrix composites. Among all E-Glass fibers are most commonly used fibers because of high strength, low weight
and has good heat resistance, cold resistance, moisture and corrosion resistance [3].
The incorporation of lower volume fraction of non -ceramics and carbon nanotube or any other nano filler in the
manufacture of polymer composites is for improving the mechanical properties. The incorporation filler materials
like carbon nanotube, titanium dioxide, silicon carbide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate etc,,mechanical properties of
the polymer composite because of high aspect ratio which helps in improving the mechanical properties [4],[5].
Low cost easily available filler material may be used to reduce the cost of the composites. The addition of such
filler will improve the mechanical properties of the polymer matrix composite. The main reason of using filler is to
improve the properties of material and to reduce the cost of the component. Most of the references are available in
which they suggest investigation on number of material to be used as filler in polymer [6].But in some case only
they have used both fiber and filler combined [7].
Al2O3 has relatively high hardness, good oxidation resistance and chemical stability [8] and also TiO2 is a
generally used filler material in metals and ceramics [9 - 10]. Silicon carbide is having high fracture toughness and
is used in fiber reinforced epoxy matrix [11].
From the above literature it was found that scope exists to develop a polymer hybrid composites. In this
investigation glass firers are used as a reinforcement along with Al2O3, TiO2and SiC as fillers. The composites were
developed for different proportions of fillers along with the glass fibers. The developed hybrid composites
mechanical properties were evaluated.

1.1. Materials used:

Epoxy resin (Lapox L-12 (ARL-12)) with the density 1162 kg/m3 and epoxide equivalent 182-192 is used.
Hardener K6 Triethylenetetro amine (TETA) of grade K6 having density of 950 kg/m3. Polymer matrix was made
by mixing epoxy and hardener K6 in a ratio of 10:1. Glass fiber fabric is most generally used fiber material for
polymer matrix composites. Glass fiber used for our work is of Electrical grade called as E-glass fiber. E-glass fiber
is made of calcium aluminoborosilicate and is randomly oriented and has tensile strength of 3.4 Gpa. Alumina is
nothing but Aluminium oxide (Al2O3), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) sometimes also called by
trade name Carborundum. The mechanical Properties of Al2O3, TiO2 and SiC are given in the Table 1.

Table 1: Mechanical Properties of Al2O3, TiO2 and SiC

PROPERTIES ALUMINIUM OXIDE TITANIUM DIOXIDE SILICON CARBIDE

Density(gm/cm3) 3.98 3.78 3.3
Tensile Strength(MPa) 416 333 588
Fracture Toughness(MPa√m) 5 3.3 4.6
Hardness(MPa) 22050 10290 27468

These particles are spherical in shape (particle diameter: submicron-50µm). Alumina is most commonly used
filler material for polymer matrix composites due to its relatively high hardness, good oxidation resistance and
chemical stability it is most widely used filler material. The limitation of application of alumina is due to its low
fracture toughness. Titanium dioxide is also a generally used filler material; it is amorphous in nature so it can be
easily filled with plastic and rubber matrix. And Silicon carbide is used as mixing material for fillers due to its
properties like high hardness, wear resistance, good chemical inertness, good thermal conductivity, high resistive to
 M. D. Kiran et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361 22357

abrasion. Silicon Carbide also used in semiconductor material due to its resistivity. Because of all these properties of
Silicon Carbide it is used in a many of applications and industries.
Fig.1shows well assigned diffraction peaks represents alumina, Alumina is in crystal form and white in
colourhence the pattern is very clear withgood intensity. By addition of silicon carbide to Alumina, peak intensity
increased slightly and additional peaks are also observed. These two samples are crystalline in nature and no
impurity peaks have been observed, which indicates high purity of samples.

Fig. 1. XRD Analysis

Titanium dioxide is in crystal form and white in colour so the intensity is good. By addition of silicon carbide to
Titanium dioxide peak intensity increased slightly and additional peaks were also observed. These two samples are
crystalline in nature and no impurity peaks have been observed, which indicates high purity of samples. And
periodic peaks of silicon carbide in the mixture pattern indicate well mixing powders.

2. Experiments:

2.1. Tensile test:

The tensile test is used study the ability of the material to withstand a static load under the tension. The test
samples are prepared based on ASTM D638 standard of dimensions 165 mm x 19 mm x 4 mm. A universal testing
machine with maximum load rating of 400kN is used for testing.

2.2. Flexural test:

The flexural test is used to evaluate the required power to bend a beam under three-point loading system. Flexural
strength is the capacity of the material to defy the bend under load. Specimens were prepared as per the ASTM
D5943-96 Standards of dimension 150 mm x 15 mm x 3 mm.

2.3. Impact test:

Izord impact test is conducted on the specimens using Izord impact tester. The dimensions of the specimens
was 63.5mm x 12.7 mm x 3.2 mm as per ASTM D256 standard, The capacity of the impact tester is up to 250 joules
and release angle of the pendulum is 1500 .The specimen was placed in a vertical position. When the impact hammer
is released, it strikes the specimen and the corresponding impact strength and angle is displayed digitally.
22358 M. D. Kiran et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361

3. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

3.1. Tensile test results:

Ultimate tensile strength of all the investigating composites are shown in fig. 2.From the analysis it was found
that the Ultimate tensile strength of fiber reinforced composite was 77MPa when 2 volume % of fillers are added the
tensile strength is increased in all the composites. When the percentage of fillers are increased further the ultimate
tensile is decreased.This is due to increase in volume fraction of Al2O3decreases the inter-particle spacing between
nucleated micro voids [12].
100
Tensile strength (MPa)

90
80
70 Al203
60
50 Tio2
40
30 Al2o3+Sic
20
0 2 4 6 Ti02+Sic
Filler (Volume %)

3
Youngs Modulus(GPa)

2.5
2
Al203
1.5
Tio2
1
Al2o3+Sic
0.5
Ti02+Sic
0
0 2 4 6
Filler(%Volume)

Fig. 2. (a)Ultimate tensile strength; (b) Young’s modulus

3.2. Flexural test results:

Flexural strength of all the investigating composites are shown in fig.3. From the analysis it was found that the
Flexural strength of 118Mpa obtained by 6%(Al2O3+SiC)filler added polymer composite.When the silicon dioxide
mixed with the titanium dioxide and added to epoxy/glass fibre reinforced composite it will be increases the
brittleness of the composite due to high fracture toughness of the silicon dioxide [11], so there is little drop in
flexural strength as compare to the pure titanium dioxide.

3.3. Impact test results:

The addition of the filler to the polymer composite gave the good results. Fig. 4 shows the impact strength
variation with the addition of different weight percent of filler. The optimum result is 0.09375 J/mm2, obtained by
6%(Al2O3+SiC) filler added polymer composite. And it shows 84% improvement in impact strength which is due to
the fracture toughness of both SiC and Al2O3 are maximum.It may be because of more hardness of alumina compare
to silica and Titania [13].
 M. D. Kiran et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361 22359

140

Flexural strength(MPa)
120
100 Al203
80
Tio2
60
40 Al2o3+Sic
20 Ti02+Sic
0
0 2 4 6
Filler(%Volume)
20
Flexural Modulus(GPa)

15
Al203
10
Tio2
5 Al2o3+Sic
0 Ti02+Sic
0 2 4 6
Filler(%Volume)

Fig. 3. (a) Flexural strength; (b) Flexural Modulus

0.1
Impact Strength (J/mm2)

0.08
0.06 Al203
0.04 Tio2
0.02 Al2o3+Sic
0 Ti02+Sic
0 2 4 6
Filler(%Volume)

Fig. 4. Impact Strength

4. SEM Morphology

SEM morphology is used to check the bonding and filler distribution in the matrix. A higher magnification
of SEM analysis images shows that the Glass fiber filaments are fully covered with the epoxy resin or matrix. We
can see from the images figure 5 (a), there is no separation of glass fibers from epoxy, it shows the strong bonding
and also observed no matrix cracking, interface debonding. We can also observe from figure 5(b) even distribution
of the filler across the matrix. Some micro cavities seen in the fractured tensile specimen as the fibers were pulled
22360 M. D. Kiran et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361

out of the matrix in tensile testing. Due strong bonding, glass fibers could provide efficient stress transfer from
epoxy which helped to improve mechanical properties.

Fig. 5. (a) SEM morphology before fracture; (b) SEM morphology after fracture

5. Conclusion

In present work glass fabric/epoxy composites with alumina, titanium and mixture with silicon carbide hybrid
fillers are prepared using hand layup method. Their mechanical properties like tensile strength, flexural strength and
impact strength are investigated.
From the analysis it was found that 2% Al2O3 + SiC filler added glass fiber/epoxy composites showed
22%improvement in ultimate tensile strength and 2% TiO2 + SiC filler added glass fiber/epoxy composites showed
14%improvement in ultimate tensile strength.
The composite having 6% Al2O3 + SiC exhibited 87% improvement in flexural strengthand 84% improvement in
impact strength.6% TiO2filler added glass fiber/epoxy composites showed 76%improvement in flexural strength and
6% TiO2 +SiCfiller added glass fiber/epoxy composites showed 84%improvement in flexural strength
The mixture of SiC and Al2O3fillers havesignificantly contributed to enhance the flexural strength, impact
strength and tensile strength of E-Glass epoxy composites, because ofSiC having high fracture toughness and high
hardness.

References

[1] An introduction to composite materials. D.Hull ,T.W,Clyne. Cambridge university press. 13-aug-1996. Engineering and technology. Edition
2,revised.
[2] K. Devendra, T. Rangaswamy, "Strength Characterization of E-glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites with Filler Materials" Journal of
Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,2013,1,353-357.
[3] K. Devendra, T. Rangaswamy, strength characterization of E-Glass fiber reinforced composite with filler materials, (2013), 1, 353-357.
[4] S.S. Ray, M. Okamoto, Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites: a review from preparation to processing. ProgPolymSci, 28 (2003), pp.
1539–1641
[5] Andreas Faltermeiera; Martin Rosentrittb; Rupert Faltermeierc; Claudia Reichenedera;Dieter Mu¨ ßigd "Influence of Filler Level on the Bond
Strength of Orthodontic Adhesives" . Accepted: July 2006.Submitted: June 2006.Inc.Angle Orthodontist, Vol 77, No 3, 2007 by The EH
Angle Education and Research Foundation.
[6] Katz H.S., Mileski J.V. Handbook of Fillers for Plastics, (1987), November 30, A Von NostrandReihold book.
[7] WasimAkram, Sachin Kumar Chaturvedi, Syed Mazhar Ali “Comparative Study Of Mechanical Properties Of E-Glass/Epoxy Composite
Materials With Al2O3, CaCo3, SiO2 AND PBO Fillers" International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) Vol. 2 Issue
7, July - 2013.
[8] Biswas, S. and Satapathy, A. “A study on tribologicalbehavior of alumina filled glass-epoxy composites using Taguchi experimental design”,
Tribol. Trans., Vol. 53, 2010.
[9] S.M. Mirabedini, M. Mohseni, Sh. PazokiFard, M. Esfandeh, Effect of TiO2 on the mechanical and adhesion properties of RTV silicone
elastomer coatings Colloids Surf. A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects, 317 (2008) 80–86.
[10]Y. Chen, A. Lin, F. Gan, Improvement of polyacrylate coating by filling modified nano-TiO2, Appl. Surf. Sci. 252 (2006) 8635–8640.
 M. D. Kiran et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 22355–22361 22361

[11] B. Shivamurthy, Siddaramaiah and M.S. Prabhuswamy "Influence of SiO2 Fillers on Sliding Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of
Compression Molded Glass Epoxy Composites".Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 8, No.7, pp 513-530,
2009.
[12] B.G. Park, A.G.Crosky, A.K.Hellier “ Fracture toughness of microsphere Al2O3–Al particulate metal matrix composites“Composites: Part
B 39 (2008) 1270–1279.
[13]Ramesh K. Nayak, Alina Dash and B.C.Ray, “Effect of epoxy modifiers (Al2O3/SiO2/TiO2) on mechanical performance of epoxy/glass
fiber hybrid composites”, Procedia Materials Science, 2014, pp.1359 – 1364.
[14] S. Rajesh a, B.VijayaRamnathb, C. Elanchezhianb, N.Aravindc, V.VijaiRahuld,S. Sathishd., “Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of Glass
Fibre/ Al2O3- SiC Reinforced Polymer composites”, 2014, Procedia Engineering, pp. 598 – 606.
[15] HThomas P. Selvin, Joseph Kuruvilla, Thomas Sabu, “Mechanical properties of titanium dioxide filled polysterene micro composites”,
Materials Letters 58 (2004), pp. 281– 289.
[16] Thomas P. Selvin, Joseph Kuruvilla, Thomas Sabu, “Mechanical properties of titanium dioxide filled polysterene micro composites”,
Materials Letters 58 (2004), pp. 281– 289.
[17] B. Suresha, B.N. Ramesh, K.M. Subbaya and G. Chandramohan. Mechanical and Three-body Abrasive Wear Behavior of Carbon-Epoxy
Composite with and without graphite filler Journal of Composite Materials, October 2010; Vol. 44(21): pp. 2509-2519.
[18] Mukul Kant Paliwal, Sachin Kumar Chaturvedi "An Experimental Investigation of Tensile Strength of Glass Composite Materials With
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Filler" International Journal of Emerging trends in Engineering and Development Issue 2, Vol.6 (September
2012).
[19] K. Naresh Kumar, M. Prasanthkumar, V. Krishna, D. SrinivasaRao. "Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Coal Ash
Reinforced Glass Fiber Polymer Matrix Composites" International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering Website:
www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2013).
[20]Mareri P. Bastide S. Binda N.; Crespy A. Mechanical Behaviour of Polypropylene Composites Containing Fine Mineral Filler: Effect of
Filler Surface Treatment, Composites Science and Technology, 58(6), (1998) 747-752.
[21] Järvelä, P. A. and Järvelä, P. K. Multi-component compounding of polypropylene, Journal of Mateials Science, 31(14), (1996), 3853-3859.
[22] Rusu, M, Sofian, N, Rusu, D. Mechanical and thermal properties of zinc powder filled high density polyethylene composites , Polymer
testing, 20(44), (2001) 409-417.
[23] Jang, B. Z. Advanced Polymer composites: principles and applications. ASM International, (1994).
[24] Rusu, M, Sofian, N, Rusu, D. Mechanical and thermal properties of zinc powder filled high density polyethylene composites , Polymer
testing, 20(44), (2001) 409-417.
[25] Zhu, K and Schmauder, S. Prediction of the failure properties of short fiber reinforced composites with metal and polymer matrix, Comput
Mater Sci. 28, (2003):743–8. 34
[26] M. Yang, Y. Dan, Preparation and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)/titanium oxide composite particles, Colloid Polym. Sci.284
(2005) 243–250.