TITLE:
The Impact of Filler Content on Mechanical and Micro-Structural Characterization of Graphite-Epoxy Composites
AUTHORS:
Abdullah Shalwan, Fahad Mohammad Alajmi, Naser Alajmi
KEYWORDS:
Graphite, Epoxy, Composites, Microstructural, Mechanical, Tensile, Hardness
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
21,
2022
ABSTRACT: In this study, the characteristics
of Graphite/Epoxy Composites (GECs) are evaluated from mechanical perspectives.
Different weight percentages of graphite were used (0 - 7 wt%) for tensile and hardness
experiments. Then the findings were discussed to ascertain the optimum mixing
ratio of the graphite with the epoxy. The primary finding of this study is that
the graphite weight fraction has a substantial impact on the composites’ mechanical performance. At a low percentage (1 wt%), the graphite has
little influence on the tensile behaviour. An intermediate weight percentage of
the graphite is considered optimum for mechanical performance in the epoxy
composites as it slightly reduces the tensile properties and significantly
improves the hardness. Micrographs of the fractured surface of specimens showed
many signs that clearly explained why fractures had occurred. For instance, when
graphite/epoxy composite contained a low proportion of graphite, the cleavage
failure was very easy to observe because there was no sign of aggregation or
the detachment of fillers.