Synthesis and Mechanical Behaviour of Epoxy- Fly Ash Composite

The present work describes the development of epoxy-based composites with the incorporation of fly ash, an industrial waste, as reinforcement. In coal based thermal power plants fly ash is produced during power generation. Five different volume fractions (viz., 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% fly ash) were used in the present study to synthesize the epoxy-fly ash composites. Effect of fly ash content on the mechanical properties of these composites under different mechanical test conditions was studied in a comprehensive way. The results suggested that the tensile and compressive strength of these composites increases with increasing fly ash content while the flexural strength and the impact strength decreases with increase in fly ash content. Detailed microscopic observations were carried out for all fractured surfaces