Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 9, No.3, pp.199-210, 2010
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199
Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin – Fly Ash Composite
Manoj Singla1 and Vikas Chawla2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, R.I.E.I.T., Railmajra, Distt. Nawanshahr (Pb.)-144533,
INDIA
2Department of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, I.I.T. Roorkee (Uttaranchal), INDIA
Contact: 1manojsingla77@gmail.com, 2vikkydmt@iitr.ernet.in
ABSTRACT
There has been significant increase in use of glass fibre reinforced composites as structural
materials in naval mine countermeasure surface ships. Sea mines when detonated emit
underwater shock waves, which could impart severe loading to naval ship structure; there are
attempts to model the response of a ship structure to this loading. For the model to be accurate
& useful material property data determined experimentally by taking different weight percentage
of glass fibers (E-300, mat form) with epoxy resin & comparison with fly ash reinforced
composite. Specimens in the form of cube of size 10X10X10 (mm’s) are used & results are
presented. Fracture behaviour of composite can also be studied using SEM. SEM analysis is
done to observe distribution of fly ash particles in matrix, resin fly ash interface, glass fibre
matrix interface, glass fibre distribution etc,.
Key Words: PMC’S, GFR
1. INTRODUCTION
Ash residues are wastes of coal fired plants and they are produced at the boiler outlets of plants,
these including fly ashes and bottom ashes [1]. The demand for the light weight materials such as
for surfaces of ships had led to the development of fly –ash based thermosetting resins [2-6]. In
fibre epoxy composites the addition of fly ash led to a reduction of the density and increase in
modulus of composites [4]. At present, epoxy resins are widely used in various engineering and
structural applications such as electrical industries, and commercial and military aircrafts
200 Manoj Singla and Vikas Chawla Vol.9, No.3
industries. In order to improve their processing and product performances, and to reduce cost,
various fillers are introduced into the resins during processing [7].
1.1 Matrix material for PMCs
Matrix materials or resins in case of polymer matrix composites can be classified according to
their chemical base i.e. thermoplastic or thermosets. Thermoplastics have excellent toughness,
resilience and corrosion resistance but have fundamental disadvantage compared to
thermosetting resins, in that they have to be molded at elevated temperature. The main
thermoplastic used in fiber reinforced plastics are unsaturated polyesters which have lower cost
but are usually not as strong as thermoset plastics like epoxy resins. Hence the main research
effort is concentrated on thermosetting plastics.
Thermosetting plastics or thermosets are formed with a network molecular structure of primary
covalent bonds. Some thermosets are cross-linked by heat or a combination of heat and pressure.
Others may be cross-linked by chemical reaction, which occurs at room temperature.
1.2 Epoxy Resins
Epoxy resins are the most commonly used thermoset plastic in polymer matrix composites.
Epoxy resins are a family of thermoset plastic materials which do not give off reaction products
when they cure and so have low cure shrinkage. They also have good adhesion to other
materials, good chemical and environmental resistance, good chemical properties and good
insulating properties. The epoxy resins are generally manufactured by reacting epichlorohydrin
with bisphenol. Different resins are formed by varying proportions of the two: as the proportion
of epichlorohydrin is reduced the molecular weight of the resin is increased.
O
CH2 CHCH2Cl +
CH3
HO C OH
CH3
O OH
CH2 CHCH2{ RCH2CHCH2}n
O
RCH2CH CH2
CH3
Vol.9, No.3 Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin – Fly Ash Composite 201
where R = O C O
CH3
The general reactive group in epoxies is ECHOCH2.
1.3 Curing of Epoxy Resins
Epoxy resins are cured by means of a curing agent, often referred as catalysts, hardeners or
activators. Often amines are used as curing agents. In amine curing agents, each hydrogen on an
amine nitrogen is reactive and can open one epoxide ring to form a covalent bond.
1.4 Fiber Matrix Interface
The structure and properties of reinforcement matrix interface plays a major role in mechanical
and physical properties of the composite materials. In particular large difference between the
elastic properties of the matrix and fiber has to be communicated through interface. Many
theories have been proposed for these interface characters and coupling agents.
1.5 Fly Ash as a Filler Material
Flyash is a coal combustion byproduct, which accumulates due to electrostatic precipitation of
the flue gases in thermal power plant. When coal is burnt in thermal power plant the ash is
carried forward in flue gases as fused particles, which solidifies as a spherical particle. Most of
these spherical particles have a gas bubble at the centre. The constituents of flyash particles as
obtained from coal in Britain are silica (59.5%), Alumina (20.3%), FeO /Fe2O3 (6.5%),
remaining being FeO, MgO and unburnt coal etc.
Flyash depending upon the source of coal, contain different proportions of silica, alumina, oxides
of iron, calcium, magnesium etc along with elements like carbon, Ti, Mg, etc. So the flyash has
properties combined of spherical particles and that of metals and metal oxides.
Filler materials are generally the inert materials which are used in composite materials to reduce
material costs, to improve mechanical properties to some extent and in some cases to improve
processability.
Blending of polymeric materials (PVC & PVB) leads to increased impact strength.
Reinforcement of polymer matrix with glass fiber leads to general improvement of mechanical
properties.
Polymer matrix composites are used in greatest diversity in light of their less cost, ease of
fabricability, higher specific strength, design flexibility and lightweight.
202 Manoj Singla and Vikas Chawla Vol.9, No.3
2. EXPERIMENTATION
Commercially available ARALDITE LY 554 along with hardner HY 951 was used as matrix
material in fabrication of different slabs. For processing the mix ratio (by weight) of ARALDITE
(100 parts) and hardner (10 parts) are used as specified.
2.1 Raw Material Used
Flyash:- Silica (59.5%), Alumina (20.3%), FeO /Fe2O3 (6.5%), remaining being FeO, MgO and
unburnt coal etc.
Epoxy resin:- Araldite- LY- 554 1.10 – 1.15 gm/cc
Hardner :- HY-951 0.97 – 0.99 gm/cc
Glass fiber:- E-glass (E-300) Mat 2.54 gm/cc
2.2 Fabrication of Material
The fabrication of the polymer matrix composite was done at room temperature. The required
ingredients of resin, hardner, fly ash and glass fibre were mixed thoroughly in beaker as shown
and the mixture so made was transferred to mould cavity of the mould and the mould tightened
with the help of nuts & bolts.
2.2.1 Mould preparation
Two wooden moulds of size 154 X 78 X 12 (mms) were used for casting of polymer matrix
composite slabs. The moulds made of pressed wood. The mould comprises of two plates one top
& other bottom & third rectangular mould cavity inside. After that by placing the three pieces
together drill the holes & then it has to be tightened by nuts & bolts.
Fig. 1. Mould Assembly.
Vol.9, No.3 Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin – Fly Ash Composite 203
2.2.2 Dough preparation
The required mixture of resin & hardner were made by mixing them in (10:1) parts in a beaker
by stirring the mixture in a beaker by a rod taking into care that no air should be entrapped inside
the solution.
Fig. 2. Mixing of Fly Ash and Resin.
2.2.3 Casting of slabs
The dough prepared was transferred to mould cavity by care that the mould cavity should be
thoroughly filled. Leveling was done to uniformly fill the cavity.
2.2.4 Curing
Curing was done at room temperature for approx. 24 hrs. After curing the mould was opened
slab taken out of the mould and cleaned.
2.2.5 Material composition
Following nomenclature shown in Table 1 is used for identification of different compositions.
2.2.6 Sample Preparation
The cast slabs of the material were taken out of the mould & then six samples were taken each
for Compression & Impact test of 10X10X10 (mms) & 10X10X55 (mms) dimensions.
Resin
Fly Ash
Stick
204 Manoj Singla and Vikas Chawla Vol.9, No.3
Table 1. Nomenclature of material fabricated.
Material
Designation % fly ash (by
weight) % resin (by
weight) % glass fibre (by wt.)
C1 30 70 Nil
C2 38 62 Nil
C3 46 54 Nil
C4 54 46 Nil
C5 38 60 2
2.3 Mechanical Properties
Compression & Impact tests were carried out using Universal Tensile testing machine & Impact
testing machine respectively.
2.3.1 SEM Study of fractured surfaces
SEM analysis of the post mechanical tests was carried out to observe distribution of fly ash
particles in the matrix, resin fly ash interface, glass fibre distribution in the matrix, glass fibre
matrix interface, deformation behaviour etc.
SEM analysis was done on JEOL, JSM 6100 at Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation
Facility, Central Instrumentation Laboratory, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Fabricated materials of different compositions of epoxy resin system have been tested under
static & dynamic loading conditions.
3.1 Compression Test
The values of compression strength of epoxy resin fly ash composite material with different % of
fly ash is given in Table 2.
The increase in compressive strength of epoxy resin fly ash composite with increase of fly ash
may be attributed to hollowness of fly ash. The hollowness of fly ash particles increases the
material capacity to increase the material capacity to increase energy [8].
Vol.9, No.3 Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin – Fly Ash Composite 205
Table 2. Comparison of compressive strength using different wt. % of fly ash.
Material Designation % fly ash (by weight) Compressive strength (N/mm2)
C1 30 84.3
C2 38 88.2
C3 46 96.2
C4 54 102.3
3.2 Impact Test
The values of impact strength of epoxy resin fly ash composite material with different % of fly
ash is given in Table 3.
Table 3. Comparison of impact strength using different wt. % of fly ash
Material Designation % fly ash (by weight) Impact strength (Joules)
C1 30 0.92
C2 38 0.72
C3 46 0.52
C4 54 0.52
Slight decrease in energy has been observed due to decreased availability of epoxy material to
bond all the fly ash particles in the matrix.
206 Manoj Singla and Vikas Chawla Vol.9, No.3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
30 38 46 54
% Fl y Ash
Compressive S t rength
Fig. 3. Comparison of Compressive Strength.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
30 38 46 54
% Fly Ash
Impact Strength (J)
Fig. 4. Comparison of Impact Strength.
Vol.9, No.3 Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin – Fly Ash Composite 207
Table 4. Compressive strength & impact energy absorbed in impact test of glass reinforced resin
fly ash material.
Material
Designation Fly ash (wt. %) Glass fibre (wt.
%) Compressive
strength
(N/mm2)
Impact
strength
(Joules)
C5 .8 2 104.7 4.2
Table 5. Comparative properties of resin fly ash system & glass reinforced resin fly ash
composites.
Material
Designation Fly ash (wt. %) Glass fibre (wt.
%) Compressive
strength
(N/mm2)
Impact
strength
(Joules)
C2 38 00 88.2 0.72
C5 38 2 104.7 4.2
75
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
C2 C5
Compr essi ve Stren g th
(N/mm2)
0
1
2
3
4
5
C2 C5
I mp act Stren g th (J )
Fig. 5. Comparison of Compressive Strength Fig. 6. Comparison of Impact Strength
There is increase in compressive strength & energy absorbed during the impact test in glass
reinforced resin fly ash composite. The increase in compressive strength is due to reinforcing
action of the glass fibre. When load is applied the matrix material cannot flow due to presence of
glass fibres.
208 Manoj Singla and Vikas Chawla Vol.9, No.3
3.3 SEM Study of Resin Fly Ash Composite
In SEM analysis it has been found that flyash particles are uniformly distributed & glass fibres
are found to be randomly distributed. Fig. 7 shows some compatibility of glass fibres with the
matrix material. SEM Photograph in Figure 8 shows the broken fractured surface of the glass
fibre. SEM photograph in Fig. 9 & 10 shows uniform distribution of fly ash in the matrix.
Fig. 7. SEM of glass fibres and matrix. Fig. 8. Fractured surface of glass fibre.
Fig. 9. Fly ash in matrix. Fig. 10. Fly ash in matrix.
4. CONCLUSION
¾ With the addition of fly-ash in epoxy resin –fly-ash composite the compressive strength
has been found to increase with increase in fly ash particles. This increase is attributed to
hollowness of fly-ash particles & strong interfacial energy between resin & fly-ash.
Vol.9, No.3 Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin – Fly Ash Composite 209
¾ After reinforcing glass fibre both compressive & impact strength has been increased due
to energy absorbed in fibre pull out.
¾ In SEM analysis it has been found that fly-ash particles has been uniformly segregated.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author acknowledges with thanks the support provided by Department of Mechanical
Engineering, RIEIT, Railmajra, Distt. Nawanshahr (PB) India.
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