Characterizing and Modeling of Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Polymer Composites Reinforced with Fly ash

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of the current experimental work and micro-mechanical numerical analysis of epoxy composites reinforced with fly ash. Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC’s) occupy a prime spot in the area of materials due to their lightweight and good mechanical strength. The most commonly used PMC’s are epoxy resins. The property of the epoxy resins can be improved by using fillers. Among the research going on in newer materials the modification of polymers by fillers has gained prominence. In the present work we have used fly ash as a filler material and its effect on tensile and compressive properties of Lapox L12 slabs by varying the fly ash loadingfrom0 to 20% in the epoxy matrix.The nanocomposites showed enhanced mechanical properties and was further analysed using micromechanical models. For the analysed polymer composite, both the tensile strength and modulus curves computed using the analytical model correlate well with experimental values. The models discussed include Nicolais – Narkis, Turcsanyi, Piggot – Leidner and Nielsen models for the tensile strength values and for tensile modulus the models discussed include Halpin Tsai, Kerner and Sato – Furukawa models. These micromechanics models predict stiffness of nanocomposites