Effects of recovered brown alumina filler loading on mechanical, hygrothermal and thermal properties of glass fiber–reinforced epoxy polymer composite

This study investigates the efficiency of recovered brown alumina (RBA) particles filled in epoxy glass-fiber composites. The RBA were obtained from grinding wheel rejects with help mechanical crushing process. Recovered finer than 120 grit used as particulate filler for composite preparation. Composites processed through a hand-layup technique by varying loading percentages (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) glass fiber–reinforced matrix. Physical, mechanical, water absorption, thermal properties composites tested experimentally. By suitable addition RBA, it is possible to tailor shore-D hardness, tensile modulus, flexural strength, maximum degradation temperature. 20%-filled shows strength 382 MPa, hardness value was 85. fracture surface failure mechanism dominated matrix cracking debonding fiber/particles interface. Hygrothermal testing RBA20-filled reveals 9% 4% reduction properties. stability improves percentage increases. Maximum 435°C observed polymer composite.