Tensile and impact characterization of S-glass/epoxy composite laminates containing microscale borax, perlite, and sewage sludge ash particles

In this study, influences of microscale particles (borax, perlite, and sewage sludge ash) on tensile and impact resistances of S-glass/epoxy composite laminates were experimentally investigated. During the production of test samples, epoxy resin was modified incorporating them it inorganic and waste fillers at different weight ratios (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% for borax, and 1, 2, 5, and 10% except for perlite). Damage mechanisms and impact properties of particle-modified composites were characterized by charpy impact tests. Results showed that incorporation of particulate fillers in the S-glass/epoxy composites resulted in the significant increases of the tensile and impact resistances up to the critical particle loading, followed by the decreasing trend due to the decreasing interfacial strength between matrix-particle-fiber interactions.