VARIATION IN THERMAL STRESS BEHAVIOUR OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS BY THERMOMECHANICAL TECHNIQUE (TMA)

Abstract

In this study, a polymeric-based composite material was made using 80% epoxy polyester 20% and unsaturated polyester resin. The polymeric composites were prepared by manual moulding method by adding a support material of silica powder to the mixture by weight (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) to examine one of the thermal properties which are thermal expansion. A comparison was made with the polymeric mixture before and after the reinforcement. The results of the study showed that the coefficient of thermal expansion increases with increasing temperatures, while it decreases at high temperatures. The results also showed that there is a decrease in the degree of glass transition with an increase in the concentration of the additive, and it was also noted that an increase in the percentage of silica at 15% decreases the value of the thermal expansion coefficient compared to other samples.