Physical, Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Ceramic (SiC) Filled Woven Glass Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composites

Abstract

The heat shielding and thermal stability capability of ceramic fillers brings it to the forefront for utilisation in polymer composites for thermally variable applications. The present work focusses to study the physical, mechanical and thermal behaviour of ceramic filler (SiC) in glass fiber reinforced hybrid polymer composites. During the investigation, different weight percentages of SiC filler (0–40 with step of 5) was added with glass fiber epoxy composites. The tensile, flexural, impact strength, hardness of both types of the composites were determined. The experimental results indicate varied rate of deterioration of tensile and flexural strength of the hybrid composites with respect to the SiC filler content. However, the impact strength and hardness of the composites enhanced due to the incorporation of SiC ceramic fillers. Further thermogravimetric analysis and thermal conductivity test was performed to study the effect of ceramic filler and glass fiber on the thermal behaviour of the developed composites. The experimental thermal conductivity values of composites were compared with those of analytical models. The inclusion of SiC ceramic filler enhanced the thermal stability and conductivity of epoxy-based composites. However, the hybridization of SiC filler with glass fiber further improved the thermal properties of the composites. The microscopic analysis of the developed composites was carried out to ascertain deformation mechanisms of under tensile, flexural and impact loading.