ABSTRACT

A composite is a material in which a continuous phase (the matrix) is combined with

another phase (the reinforcement) to strengthen the matrix and to increase the specific
properties. The Composite material is used in different field in our daily life because of their
usual combinational properties which include Resistance, Improved corrosion resistance, high
resistance to thermal expansion excellent optical and magnetic properties. The other reason in
present day trend is to go for light weight construction for easy handling and reduced space
reduction.
Glass fiber reinforced polymer composites find widespread applications due to their
several advantages like high wear resistance, strength-to-weight ratio and low cost. The
performance of the composites can further be improved by adding particulate fillers to them.
To this end, this work successfully uses SiO2 as a filler material in polymer matrix to assess
the mechanical properties of polymer composites. In the present investigation, composite
samples with varying SiO2 filler content (0%, 5% &10%) are made using E-glass fabric as the
reinforcement and epoxy as the matrix. The composites samples were fabricated by Hand layup
technique.

The composite laminates were fabricated using the hand lay-up process and the
specimens are cut in accordance with the ASTM standards. Tensile test was conducted on
specimens to measure the Young's Modulus, ultimate tensile strength and Stress at Break,
according to ASTM-D 638. Flexure test was conduct on specimens to measure Maximum
Deflection (mm), Maximum Bending Stress at Maximum Load (MPa), Young's Modulus of
Bending (MPa) according to ASTM-D 790. Hardness test was conducted on specimen to
measure the resistance for indentation/scratching according to ASTM-D 2240. Impact test was
conducted on specimen to measure the energy required to break notched specimens under
standard conditions according to ASTM D-256. The mechanical properties of silicon dioxide
filled glass fabric-epoxy and unfilled glass fabric-epoxy composites were determined and the
experimental results were compared