Evaluation of Thermal Properties of E-Glass/ Epoxy Composites Filled By Different Filler Materials

This paper compares the values of the thermal and fire resistance properties of composites made using the hand layup technique. E-Glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites was fabricated by filling varying concentration of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), magnesium hydroxide(Mg(OH)2), silicon carbide (SiC), and hematite powder. The main aim of this work was to determine the thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, time to ignition and flame propagation rate of composites. Experimental results show that Al2O3 and Mg (OH)2 filled composites exhibited low thermal conductivities. Composites filled by SiC particles exhibited low thermal expansion coefficient when compared with other filled composites. Fire test results indicated that increase the loading of Al2O3, Mg (OH)2, and hematite powder increase the time to ignition and reduces the flame propagation rate of composites.