SYNTHETIC FILLERS IN POLYMER MATRIX
COMPOSITES
GRAPHITE
Graphite is a low density and soft allotrope of carbon.
Consists of strongly linked carbon atoms, with very weak bonds
between the sheets.
Most of graphite occurs in the form of flakes or lumps.
Graphite reinforced composites have exceptional mechanical
properties which are unequalled by other materials.
Properties and Applications of Graphite
Important properties include:
Major applications are:
Low density
Carbon brushes
Low friction and self-
Refractories
lubrication
High strength
High stiffness
High thermal resistance
High chemical and corrosion
resistance
High electrical conductivity
Lubricants
Friction materials
Graphite foil
Composites in aerospace,
Marine and automotive parts
CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPOSITE SHEETS
Materials Used:
polymer matrix : a commercially available epoxy
Hardener :Aliphatic amine (HY-951)
Filler material: Graphite powder with a particle size <50 m
Preparation of Composite Sheets:
A weighted amount of epoxy resin and graphite powder were
mixed in varying proportions.
The mixture was then poured into the mould and then inserted in
compression molding machine.
Sheets of epoxy resin reinforced with varying amounts of graphite
filler i.e. 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% (by weight of resin) were prepared and
tested.
The composite samples were tested for their mechanical strength as:
Sample for Tensile Testing
Prepared according to the ASTM D638. These samples were cut into a
dumb-bell shape with the help of die, operated by hand press.
Sample for Flexural Testing
The test sample of specified size 80 mm x 10 mm x 2mm were cut
with the help of motor driven blade in machine shop according to
ASTM D790.
Sample for Izod Impact Testing a notched specimen is used in
Izod test according to the ASTM D256.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Tensile modulus increases as the filler concentration increases
because of absence of voids in the composite, good mixing of the
filler in the matrix and two dimensional structures of graphite
particles.
Fig: Variation of tensile modulus with varying amount of graphite filler.
As the tensile modulus increases, the ultimate strength and %
elongation decreases.
Flexural strength of the graphite filled polymer composite was
measured with respect to filler content.
The study reveals that the flexural strength increases from 200
MPa to 285 MPa with the increases of graphite content due to
interfacial bonding and additional load bearing capacity of the
matrix, which can be due to good filler matrix adhesion.
Fig: Variation of flexural strength with varying amount of graphite filler.
Impact strength and toughness decreases with an increase in filler
content.
The decrease in impact strength is due to decreased availability of
epoxy material to bond all the graphite particles in the matrix.
Fig: Variation of impact strength with varying amount of graphite filler
CONCLUSION
For Sic filled epoxy composite
For Graphite filled epoxy composite, both tensile modulus and
flexural strength increases where as the impact strength decreases
with increase in wt % of graphite filler.
For Carbon black filled epoxy
