The Influence of Alumina Filler on Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Bulk Moulding Compounds (BMCs) Composite

Abstract:

Bulk moulding compounds (BMCs) are composite materials of thermosetting polymer matrix reinforced by short glass fibers. BMCs have known as the alternative of the traditional materials thanks to their optimal properties such as lightweight, durability, corrosion under certain environment, formable, high electrical resistance... The previous study mentioned the process of manufacturing composite materials BMCs from unsaturated polyester resin reinforced with short glass fiber and CaCO₃ filler by Z axis mixer and applying in the circuit breaker bottom, [1, 2]. To improve the thermal resistance of BMCs under high temperature condition in the industry, in this research, alumina filler was added to investigate the influence of alumina with the different content of 15wt.% and 20wt.% on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of BMCs. Specimens manufactured with and without alumina filler content were compared. The results show clearly that adding alumina could improve the thermal properties whereas this might decrease the tensile strength of BMCs. The experimental results also indicated the influence of mass fraction of alumina filler content on properties of BMCs.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 889)
• Pages: 65-70
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.889.65
• Online since: March 2019
• Authors: Thai Hung Le*, Hien Trang Nguyen
• Keywords: Alumina Filler, BMC, Electrical Properties, Mechanical Properties, Thermal Resistance

References

[1] Le Thai Hung, Vu Van Thong, Nguyen Thi Lan, Producing and evaluation of mechanical properties of BMC composite from unsaturated polyester resin and reinforced with short glass fiber, Proceedings of the National conference on Mechanics, Duy Tan University, 6-7/08/ (2015), pp.646-651.

[2] Le Thai Hung, Nguyen Kim Chinh, Nguyen Duc Thai, Vu Dinh Thang et al, Fabrication of the circuit breaker bottom using BMC composite material from unsaturated polyester resin and reinforced with short glass fiber, J. Sci. and Tech. of Metals, No64, (2016), pp.34-38.

[3] Laurent Orgeas, Pierre Dumont, Thai-Hung Le and Denis Favier Rheology of Bulk Molding Compounds, a concentrated and fibre reinforced granular polymer suspension,, J. Rheologica Acta, vol. 47, 2008, pp.677-688.

DOI: 10.1007/s00397-008-0276-1

[4] Wu L, Hoa SV, Wuang H. Improvement of flammability resistance of epoxy adhesives used in infrastructure applications, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering (2007), pp.323-330.

DOI: 10.1139/l06-135

[5] Nazare S, Kandola B, Horrocks A. Flameretardant unsaturated polyester resin incorporating nanoclays. Pol Adv Technol. (2006), pp.294-303.

DOI: 10.1002/pat.687

[6] Dholakiya BZ, Use of non-traditional fillers to reduce flammability of polyester resin composites, Polimeri (2009), pp.10-17.

[7] Zhang ZX, Zhang J. Lu BX, Xin ZX, Kang CK, Kim JK, Effect of flame retardants on mechanical properties, flammability and foamability of PP/wood-fiber composites, Composite Part B (2012), pp.150-158.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.06.020

[8] Liang JZ, Feng JQ, Tsui CP, Tang CY, Liu DF,…et al. Mechanical properties and flame-retardant of PP/MRP/Mg(OH)2/Al(OH)3 composites, Composite part B (2015), pp.74-81.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.10.054

[9] Jeencham R, Suppakarn N, Jarukumjorn K. Effect of flame retardants on flame retardant, mechanical, and thermal properties of sisal fiber/polypropylene composites, Composite part B (2014), pp.249-253.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.012

[10] Michaela R. Petersen, An Chen, Mark Roll, S.J. Jung, Mostafa Yossef, Mechanical properties of fire-retardant glass fiber-reinforced polymer materials with alumina tri-hydrate filler, Composite part B (2015), pp.109-121.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.03.071

[11] A. Aruniit, J. Kers and K. Tall, Influence of filler proportion on mechanical and physical properties of particulate composite, Agronomy Research Biosystem Engineering (2011), pp.23-29.

[12] Information on http://www.bulkmolding.com.