Phases Of Composites

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Composites are materials which are widely used in aerospace industry for its high strength to weight ratio, where most of the alloys add weight as penalty. These composites are made up of two phases namely matrix phase and reinforcement phase. Matrix is the most important phase as it has to hold the reinforcement and to distribute the loads to the reinforcement i.e., the matrix should be adhesive and as well strong enough to resist de-bonding of reinforcement due to load acting on it. To improve certain properties of the matrix system fillers are added to it. Some filler may improve certain properties, while others reduce certain properties and improve some other properties. Combination of two or more fillers (hybrid filler system) can also …show more content…

The industries ranging from space to sports and include manufactured products for aircraft, transportation, energy, construction, sports, medical, and marine use composites as an essential part. Composite are materials made from two or more constituent materials with different physical and chemical properties. Composite materials are said to have two phases. The reinforcing phase and the matrix phase. The matrix holds the reinforcement to form the desired shape while the reinforcement improves the overall properties of the matrix. Reinforcements are strong with low densities, while matrixes are brittle. The properties of matrix system have a great influence on the properties of the final composite. By modifying the matrix, desired properties could be attained. Therefore the properties of matrix could be improved by addition of particulate reinforcements such as fillers, flakes, whiskers, and so …show more content…

The filler that are used are Graphite powder (73µm), Aluminium powder (73µm) and Alumina (30-50nm).
For reference pure epoxy specimens were prepared. Then specimens with hybrid filler modified epoxy resin were prepared these specimens were compared for its flexural properties. Initially the resin is weighed, and hardner is added about 10% by weight of matrix to the resin system and is stirred slowly so as to avoid trapping of air bubbles. Since the process is exothermic, once when the gellation time starts the heat will be expelled, the mixture is then poured in the mould.
In the same manner the filler is measured, mixed in the predefined proportion and then added to the resin system before addition of the hardner and is mixed thoroughly without any agglomeration. The proportion in which the fillers are added is given in the table 1. Once the specimens are cured then it is taken out of the mould and is tested in Tinius Olsen H100 KU

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