11 - Fly ash-reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

Polymer composites play a vital role in providing high-performance and versatile materials when reinforced with filler. The necessity of lightweight and high strength composite material has triggered the utilization of reinforcing particulate fillers in the matrix, providing synergy in the properties. Fly ash (FA), being lightweight, has been utilized as a particulate filler in the polyester resin matrix. The addition of FA particles in the polyester resin matrix strongly influences the strength and modulus of the composite owing to the strong interfacial bonding between the matrix and the filler, thereby facilitating efficient stress transfer between the matrix and the particulate fillers. Treating FA with a silane coupling agent improves the mechanical properties to some extent by reducing the agglomeration of the FA, thereby strengthening the bond between the matrix and the filler. The effect of impingement angle and impact velocity on the rate of erosion with varying content of FA shows the semiductile behavior of the composite as a function of erosion wear. The use of maleated castor oil in the unsaturated polyester resin FA composite with varying content shows a significant change in the mechanical properties, which confirms that introducing a vegetable oil derivative improves the brittleness of the unsaturated polyester resin-based composites, thereby making the material eco-friendly.