Experimental Investigation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite Plates with Added Micro Boron Oxide and Lead Oxide Particles

Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the effects of micro-sized boron oxide and lead oxide particle additions on the mechanical performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite plates. Although Glass fiber reinforced composites (GFRC) are widely used due to their high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance, their mechanical properties such as toughness and stiffness can be further improved with suitable additives. In this study, composite laminates were produced using the hand lay-up method with four-layer carbon fiber fabrics and epoxy matrix. Boron oxide and lead oxide particles were incorporated into the matrix at different weight ratios of 2 % and 4 % to evaluate their influence on mechanical behavior. Tensile tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM 3039 standards to compare the performance of additive-reinforced and non-reinforced samples. The results showed that boron oxide addition led to a significant decrease in tensile strength and load carrying capacity, with higher additive ratios resulting in further deterioration of mechanical properties. In contrast, lead oxide addition improved the mechanical performance, particularly at 4 % ratio, where the highest tensile strength values were obtained without a significant loss in ductility. The findings indicate that while boron oxide acts as a weakening phase within the composite structure, lead oxide contributes to improved load transfer and structural integrity. Consequently, lead oxide reinforced GFRC demonstrate promising potential for applications requiring enhanced mechanical strength and stability.