A Comparative Overview of Mechanical Behavior of Fly Ash-epoxy and Silica Fumes-epoxy Composite

The present study is to utilize and compare the mechanical properties of filler (fly ash and silica fumes) reinforced epoxy composites as there is a very few literature found on comparative studies on these fillers. Materials with a typical combination of qualities that are not achievable with standard metal, alloys, ceramics, and polymeric materials are needed for modern innovation. Fly-ash is rich constituents of aluminosilicate obtained from coal plants and its disposal is a reason for high ecological care. Particulate reinforcements for polymers are selected with the dual objective of improving composite properties and save on the total cost of the system. The point of this study is to utilize and compare the mechanical properties of filler (fly ash and silica fumes) reinforced epoxy composites. The composites of different proportions by percentage of matrix (100%), fillers (5%, 10% and 15%) volume are developed using hand lay-up process are tested for tensile and compression, according to ASTM Standards. From these mechanical properties, the flexural analysis of these composites is simulated. And which are characterized by Scanning electron microscopy for the fracture surface study, which reveals the brittle fracture, this also conforms from the Finite element analysis (FEA). The fly ash epoxy composite had higher strength than silica fumes epoxy composite. Hence, it is effective to use fly ash for the composite, since it is an environmental threat. And also fly ash is more abundantly available and less costly than silica fumes.