A Comparative Study on Mode I and Mode II Interlaminar Behavior of Borax and SiC Particles Toughened S-Glass Fabric/Epoxy Composite

The aim of this manuscript is to study experimentally the mechanical properties and interlaminar fracture toughness for mode I and mode II delamination of borax and silicon carbide particles- modified S-glass fiber-reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites. Composite specimens were prepared and tested according to ASTM standards with borax and silicon carbide particle contents of 5, 10, 15 and 20% of the total resin weight. The reason for properties enhancement was explained based on scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the tensile strength and flexural strength reached maximum with increment of 10.5 and 51%, respectively, at borax content of 10 wt%, compared to 1.5 and 24.2% with silicon carbide content of 10 and 5 wt%, respectively. Mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness were optimum at borax content of 15 and 10 wt%, with increment of 45.8 and 27.6%, respectively, compared to 36.7 and 46.5% at SiC particles of 10 and 5 wt%, respectively. Due to lower cost and good interlaminar fracture and mechanical properties of the borax–GFRE composites, borax can be used as particulate filler within fiber- reinforced polymer composites.