Effect of Silicon Carbide as Filler Reinforcement on the Damping properties of Glass-Fibre Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Fibre reinforced polymer matrix composites are nowadays widely used in aerospace, marine and automobile industries due to their high strength to weight ratio, good fatigue properties and easy availability. It is imperative to curb the different adverse effects of vibration in those applications. The objective of the current research is to study the effect of addition of Silicon Carbide (SiC) particulates with an average particle size of 10 μm in various weight ratios(5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) on the damping and mechanical properties of glass fibre reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites. Plain weave woven E-glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites filled with SiC particulates are fabricated using hand layup technique. Damping tests are conducted for all four composites. The damping ratios of the composites are estimated using Half power bandwidth method. The influence of weight percentage of SiC particulates on the tensile properties of the GFRE composites are studied. The tests are done as per ASTM standards. It is observed that the tensile properties of SiC filled GFRE composites are superior than that of unfilled GFRE composites. Micro structural analysis of the polymer composite is done using FESEM and different failure modes are also observed.