Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fibre and Metal Particles Filled Epoxy Composite

Abstract — The Mechanical properties of composites based on epoxy resin (ER) filled with metal powders and carbon fibres have been studied. Metal particles (MP) having different particle shapes were used as fillers. The composite preparation conditions allow the formation of a random distribution of metallic particles in the polymer matrix. Carbon fibre (CF) is one of the most useful filler materials in composites, its major use being the manufacture of components in the aerospace, automotive, and leisure industries. Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy (C-E) composites filled with different weight proportions of steel were fabricated. Materials added to the matrix help improve operating properties of a composite. The penetration and hardness behaviour of the composites have been studied and were carried out using an Indentation rig and Shore D hardness tester respectively. The epoxy was filled with CF: MP in the ratio 10%:40%, 20%:30%, 30%:20%, and 40%:10%. It was observed that with increasing CF content the surface hardness increases but better resistance to penetration was got with increasing MP