The Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Filled with Aluminum Tri-Hydroxide and Montmorillonite

摘要

Aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH) and montmorillonite (MMT) are capable to enhance flame retardancy of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP). Nevertheless, the combination of both flame retardant fillers on changes in the mechanical properties of GFRP is not yet known. The characterization of flexural strength and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation on GFRP composite has been done. The result of flexural properties testing shows that the addition of ATH or MMT or a combination of both on the GFRP causes a decrease in flexural strength. GFRP with increased ATH loading causes an increase in elastic modulus. Contrarily, the MMT addition causes a decrease in the elastic modulus of the GFRP composite. SEM results on the fractured samples show that the high content of ATH or MMT in the UP tends to agglomerate thus showing visible holes that were formed from the filler particles pulled out from the matrix.