EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF MICROPARTICLE REINFORCEMENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN THERMOSET MATRIX COMPOSITES

In this study, the mechanical characteristics of carbon fiber-epoxy composites containing different ratios of SiO₂ and TiO₂ microparticles in their matrix, produced from nine sheets by hand lay-up, were investigated. The layer orientations of the composites were compared in different configurations and optimized, and the suitable ply sequence [0° / +45° / -45° / 90° / 0° / 90° / -45° / +45° / 0°] was determined. The specimens evaluated within the scope of the experiment were prepared in accordance with ASTM-D638 and ASTM E23 standards, and tensile and Charpy impact tests were performed. Composite plates were fabricated with four different microparticle ratios by mass (0, 1%, 2%, and 4%). In the tensile tests, the composite containing 1% SiO₂-TiO₂ microparticles was observed to exhibit a 4,33% increase in ultimate tensile strength compared to the composite without microparticles. Tensile strength and impact strength data obtained from the tests were compared and presented. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of adding SiO₂ and TiO₂ microparticles in various ratios on the mechanical properties of the composites. Tensile and Charpy impact tests were used to evaluate these effects.