The Effect of Coarse Particle Size on the Properties of Recycled Copper-Filled Epoxy Composites

Abstract

The effect of coarse particle size of recycled copper filled epoxy composites on mechanical, electrical, thermal and physical properties was investigated. The recycled copper was collected as a waste from the milling machine and ground into a coarse (300-400 µm) particle size. The recycled copper filled epoxy composite was fabricated using a mechanical stirrer. The effect of volume fraction of recycled copper of the epoxy composites was also studied based on the flexural properties, coefficient of thermal analysis (CTE), electrical conductivity, hardness and density. Incorporation of recycled copper decreased the CTE of the composites. The flexural properties, electrical conductivity, hardness and density of the composites increased with increasing volume fraction and filler loading.