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Journals / Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2

Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Dolgu Maddesi Katkı Oranı ve Türünün Cam Elyaf Takviyeli Polimer Kompozitlerin Eğilme Mukavemeti Üzerindeki Etkisi

Raşit Koray Ergün(BATMAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-5440-0646
Mehmet Emin Demir(batman üniversitesi)0000-0001-9630-6378
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, it was demonstrated that appropriate selection of filler type and optimization of filler content were critical to improve flexural performance of GFRCs.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:In this study, the effects of different micro-sized filler types and contents on the flexural behavior of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (GFRCs) were systematically investigated.
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Key Findings & Data:Aluminum (Al), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and mica microparticles were dispersed in epoxy at 1.5 wt.%, 3 wt.%, and 4.5 wt.% using hand lay-up technique.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, it was demonstrated that appropriate selection of filler type and optimization of filler content were critical to improve flexural performance of GFRCs.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:cam elyafı · SiO₂ · mika

Abstract

In this study, the effects of different micro-sized filler types and contents on the flexural behavior of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (GFRCs) were systematically investigated. Aluminum (Al), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and mica microparticles were dispersed in epoxy at 1.5 wt.%, 3 wt.%, and 4.5 wt.% using hand lay-up technique. Flexural properties of the fabricated GFRCs were evaluated through three-point bending tests in accordance with ASTM D7264 standards. The findings demonstrate that both filler type and content have a remarkable influence on flexural strength of GFRCs. 1.5 wt.% Al-filled GFRCs exhibited the highest flexural strength, with an improvement of approximately 31.7% compared to the unfilled GFRCs. Low contents of microparticles generally enhanced flexural performance, higher contents of microparticles resulted in a reduction in flexural strength due to particle agglomeration, insufficient wetting, and void formation within the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were conducted to examine fractured surface and failure mechanisms. SEM observations indicated that Al-filled GFRCs exhibited stronger fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and reduced fiber pull-out, whereas SiO₂- and mica-filled GFRCs illustrated increased void formation, interfacial debonding, and fiber bundle pull-out. Overall, it was demonstrated that appropriate selection of filler type and optimization of filler content were critical to improve flexural performance of GFRCs.

Özet

Bu çalışmada, farklı mikro boyutlu dolgu maddesi türleri ve katkı oranlarının cam elyaf takviyeli epoksi kompozitlerin (GFRC'ler) eğilme davranışı üzerindeki etkileri sistematik olarak incelenmiştir. Alüminyum (Al), silisyum dioksit (SiO₂) ve mika mikro parçacıkları, elle yatırma tekniği kullanılarak epoksiye %1,5, %3 ve %4,5 ağırlık oranlarında dağıtılmıştır. Üretilen GFRC'lerin eğilme özellikleri, ASTM D7264 standartlarına uygun olarak üç noktalı eğilme testleri ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, hem dolgu maddesi katkı oranının hem de türünün GFRC'lerin eğilme mukavemeti üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. %1,5 Al dolgulu GFRC'ler, dolgusuz GFRC'lere kıyasla yaklaşık %31,7'lik bir iyileşme ile en yüksek eğilme dayanımını sergiledi. Düşük mikropartikül içeriği genellikle eğilme performansını artırırken, daha yüksek mikropartikül içeriği, partikül kümelenmesi, yetersiz ıslatma ve matris içinde boşluk oluşumu nedeniyle eğilme dayanımında azalmaya neden oldu. Kırık yüzeyi ve kırılma mekanizmalarını incelemek için taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) analizi yapıldı. SEM gözlemleri, Al dolgulu GFRC'lerin daha güçlü lif-matris arayüzey bağlaması ve daha az lif kopması sergilediğini, SiO₂ ve mika dolgulu GFRC'lerin ise artan boşluk oluşumu, arayüzey ayrılması ve lif demeti kopması gösterdiğini ortaya koydu. Genel olarak, dolgu maddesi türünün uygun şekilde seçilmesi ve dolgu maddesi içeriğinin optimize edilmesinin, GFRC'lerin eğilme performansını iyileştirmek için kritik öneme sahip olduğu gösterildi.

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Cite This Article

Ergün, R. K., Demir, M. E. (2026). Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi, Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2. https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.1890749

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