Effect of iron fillings on the properties and microstructure of cast fiber-polyester/iron filings particulate composite

The effects of iron fillings particles on the microstructure and properties of fiber-polyester composites have been studied. 3-15 wt% iron fillings particles were added. The microstructure of the fiber-polyester particulate composites produced were examined, the physical and mechanical properties measured includes: linear shrinkage, density, porosity, ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength, hardness values and impact energy. The results revealed that, addition of iron fillings reinforcement, increased the hardness values, apparent porosity and density by 77.8, 55.6 and 30.0%, respectively, and decreased the Linear shrinkage and impact energy by 37.5 and 17.1%, respectively as the weight percent of iron fillings increases in the fiber-polyester. The ultimate tensile and compressive strength increased by 41.3 and 20.8% up to a maximum of 12 wt% iron fillings addition, respectively. These increases in strength and hardness values are attributed to the distribution of hard phases of iron fillings in the ductile fiber-polyester matrix. The microstructure obtained reveals a distribution of iron fillings (dark) in polyester phase (white) with strands of fiber, which resulted into increase in the dislocation density at the particles-matrix interfaces. These results show that better properties is achievable by addition of iron fillings to fiber-polyester.