Effect of cerium oxide as filler material on e-glass fiber/epoxy reinforced polymer composites

The present work describes the development and mechanical characterization of new polymer composites consisting of glass fibre reinforcement, epoxy resin and filler materials as cerium oxide. The newly developed composites are characterized for their mechanical properties. Experiments like tensile test and three point bending were conducted to find the significant influence of filler material on mechanical characteristics of GFRP composites. Morphological analysis of the fractured surface of the composites indicated good adhesion between the matrix polymer and the glass fibers.The tests result have shown that the composite C3 with cerium oxide as a filler material exhibited better tensile strength when compared to the other composition and on further addition it decreases, Similarly the composite C3 exhibited better flexural strength on further addition of filler material it decreases.