Study thermo-mechanical properties of polyester composite reinforced by ceramic particles, SiC

Abstract

Development of the Polymer Composites with natural fibers and fillers as a sustainable alternative material for some engineering applications, particularly in aerospace applications and automobile applications are being investigated. Lightweight and biodegradability and low cost Polyester composites are synthesised with an addition of Silicon carbide (SiC) particles by varying weight percentage (0, 3, 6, 10, 13, and 16 wt. %) respectively by using hand- layup technique followed by cold moulding. The prepared specimens were cut according to ASTM standard to determine hardness, impact strength, bending distortion and thermal conductivity properties. Afterward, the thermal and mechanical properties of all the unfilled and particulate filled composites are also evaluated for structural applications, i.e., hardness, impact strength, bending distortion, are determined with the change in filler content to notice the behaviour of composite material subjected to loading in addition to thermal conductivity property. Thermo-mechanical properties of the material are measured with the help of testing machines above according to their ASTM. It is found that the strength properties are greatly influenced by addition of this ceramic filler. Also shows that the thermal and mechanical properties of SiC-filled polyester composites are better than unfilled base composites.