Tensile characterization of polymer composite reinforced with gravel particles (GP)

Abstract

The work focuses on the preparation of polymer matrix composite materials prepared from the unsaturated polyester resin UPE as a matrix reinforced by gravel particles with particle size (121.74 nm) as first group type-I GPI of samples and the second group type-II GPIΙ of samples reinforced by gravel particles with particle size (100.16 nm) . This work includes studying the effect of selected weight fractions (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) of gravel particles on the properties of the prepared composite materials, tensile test were done. The results of the present work showed that the values of tensile strength of pure UPE (24.66MPa) was increasing by additional of GPI at weight percentage 10% and however, it gained 25.45 MPa, but decreased at weight percentage (20%, 30%, and 40%) (21.21, 20.98 and 23.87 MPa) respectively. Also the results showed the tensile strength of pure UPE had decreased by additional of GPII at weight percentage (10%, 20%, and 30%) (19.67, 23.31 and 23.12 MPa) respectively, but increasing at weight percentage 40% and gained 27.84MPa. Beside the result shows that the values of tensile strength for composite materials reinforced by GPII is higher than values reinforced by GPΙ. Also the results showed the Young Modulus of pure UPE increased with the addition of 10 %, 30% and 40 % of two types GPI and GPII fillers. Where the samples of UPE \ GPI composites have a highest value of Young's Modulus at ratio percent 40% as compared with other composites samples.