Recent studies have focused on improving the mechanical properties of thermosetting composites that seem to include inorganic nanoparticles dispersed throughout the matrix material. This study investigates the mechanical properties, crystallographic and morphological study of epoxy composites when ball-milled zircon filler is incorporated into epoxy at weight percentages of 0, 5, 10, and 15(wt%). Zircon nanoparticles and epoxy resin are blended using an ultrasonic liquid technique, and then compression moulding is used to make the composite materials. Using theoretical and calculated densities (g/cm3), the volume fraction of voids (%) in the prepared composites is estimated. The Mechanical tests were done in accordance with ASTM requirements. The average zircon particle size was found to be 73.26 nm using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition, crystalline structure and the crystalline size (2.1 nm) of zircon particle was determined using X-Ray diffraction. In comparison to pure glass fibre reinforced epoxy polymer, the 10 wt% zircon particle's tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus are 33.33%, 12.56%, 32.88%, and 15.74% higher, respectively. Strain energy for tensile test is 82.96%, elongation at break is 53.52% higher and strain energy for flexural test is 52.38%, elongation at break is 14.67% higher than pristine composites. As a comparison to neat sample, Shore "D" hardness at 10 wt percent ZrSiO4 is 5.88% harder, and Izod average impact strength (J/mm) is 63.20% greater. Pullout of fibre, damaged interfaces, filler dispersion and voids are identified using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Zircon filler of 10 wt% inclusion on epoxy with E-glass fibre reinforcement reportedly improves characteristics than other proportions, especially better improvement than plain sample. Because of this, the mechanical and structural properties of developed composites are enhanced by this approach. This research proposal would lead to a special combination of ZrSiO4 inclusion and E-glass fibre reinforcement in epoxy composites for aircraft structural applications.
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